Amarillo Jury Finds John Paul Ortega Guilty of Capital Murder

On Tuesday, November 29, 2022, in Amarillo, Texas, a 34-year-old pregnant mother of three was murdered in the parking lot of a convenience store at I-40 and Lakeside.

Illiana Garza and her unborn baby lost their lives in a parking lot.

Who Was Arrested for the Murder of Illiana Garza in Amarillo, Texas

The Amarillo Police Department arrested John Paul Ortega for the murder. He was indicted on February 15, 2023, on Capital Murder in the death of Garza and her unborn baby. Ortega and Garza had been in a relationship at the time of her death.

Ortega has been on trial for the Capital murder of Garza and her unborn child. A jury has been hearing the evidence and testimony in the case. According to a court witness, Ortega claimed while testifying that he was being set up and acted in self-defense.

What was the Verdict in the Capital Murder of Iliana Garza in Amarillo, Texas?

Closing arguments in the case were heard on Thursday, May 1, 2025. The jury deliberated for 4 1/2 hours, and John Paul Ortega was found guilty of Capital Murder of Iliana Garza.

What is the Sentencing for Capital Murder in Texas?

According to the Texas Penal Code for Criminal Homicide, capital murder can carry a sentence of the death penalty or life without parole. A person can be charged with Capital Murder if any of the following occur:

A police officer or a firefighter is killed on duty
Kill someone while committing another crime
Kill someone for money or hire someone to kill
Kill someone while escaping from a jail or prison
Kill someone while incarcerated, and that someone works in the prison, or is aiding a gang or criminal group
Kill someone while serving time for murder
Kill more than one person at the same time
Kill a child younger than 10 or between the ages of 10 and 14
Kill a judge

John Paul Ortega will spend the rest of his life in prison with no chance of parole.

Amarillo has its share of crime, but this kind really hits home for the residents. This verdict won’t bring the victim back or give her child a chance to live, but it at least offers some sense of justice.

REVIEW: Amarillo Homicides in 2022

The year 2021 saw a staggering 24 homicides in Amarillo, Texas--the highest number the city had seen since 1994. A lower figure for 2022 was predicted, but the year finished out with a total of 28 homicides.

Below is a partial list of those accused in this year's murders. We have intentionally left off this list those who have been No Billed by a grand jury, had their charges modified to a lesser offense, or wherein the accused is a juvenile.

This is not an exhaustive list and is subject to change, pending legal proceedings.

Updated: September 29. 2024

Gallery Credit: Sarah Clark/TSM