Amarillo Grand Jury Hands Down Indictment for John Paul Ortega

In certain situations where a life is taken senselessly, you hope that our justice system will make the right choices and choose the right punishment.

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Back on Tuesday, November 29th, the Amarillo Police Department was called out to the parking lot of a convenience store near East I-40 and Lakeside.  The call was about an unresponsive female. Upon arrival Amarillo PD discovered 34-year-old Iliana Michelle Garza deceased from an apparent homicide. The Amarillo Police Department called in their Homicide Unit to investigate.

The APD Homicide Unit located the suspect, John Paul Ortega, a 35-year-old male. Ortega was arrested for murder and booked into the Potter County Detention Center.

On Wednesday, February 15th, The Potter County Grand Jury handed down the indictment for Ortega.  He was indicted for Capital Murder for the death of Illiana Garza and her unborn child after it was determined that Garza was pregnant and the child was also killed in the murder.

According to Sarah Clark, mother to Illiana's godson

According to Clark, more than anything, Iliana loved her three children. She was a force of nature and was known for her fierce determination to persevere and overcome the many obstacles she faced.

If convicted of Capital Murder Ortega, faces life in prison or the death penalty.  If the death penalty is not sought, then Ortega faces life in prison without parole.

Capital Murder in Texas is defined as:

Section 19.03 of the Texas Penal Code defines the crime of capital murder. Under the law, capital murder includes committing one of the offenses defined under the murder statute and does one or more of the following:

• The person murders a peace officer or fireman who is acting in an official duty;
• The person intentionally commits the murder in the course of committing or attempting to commit kidnapping, burglary, robbery, aggravated sexual assault, arson, obstruction or retaliation, or terroristic threat;
• The person commits or solicits a murder for hire;
• The person commits the murder while escaping or attempting to escape from a penal institution;
• The person, while incarcerated murders another person;
• The person murders more than one person;
• The person murders a person aged ten years old or younger; or
• The person murders another person involved in service with the judiciary.