A Denton County jury returned a guilty verdict on Thursday against Adrian Joe Padilla, 25, for the capital murder of his 71-year-old great-aunt, Mary Inez Jacinto. The incident occurred in October 2024 at the pair’s shared residence in the 11100 block of Canyon Oak Street in eastern Denton County. Following the verdict, Padilla was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Prosecutors presented evidence that Padilla stabbed Jacinto during a dispute regarding his eviction from the home. While Padilla’s defense attorneys, Derek Adame and Rebecca Lively, argued the killing was an act of self-defense after Jacinto allegedly threatened him with a knife, the state contended otherwise. Prosecutor Michael Graves described Jacinto as a peaceful figure who posed no threat, while characterizing Padilla as entitled.
Prosecutor Megan Wohr further argued that even if a threat existed, Padilla’s actions exceeded self-defense by dragging Jacinto away as she attempted to leave in her vehicle and continuing the assault.
The jury deliberated for approximately two hours before finding Padilla guilty as charged. They also convicted him of tampering with evidence for attempting to hide Jacinto’s body using tarps and dirt in the backyard. For this additional charge, the court imposed a five-year sentence.
Following the sentencing, members of Jacinto’s family addressed Padilla directly. John Rodriguez, Jacinto’s brother-in-law, stated that she was the heart of the family and loved Padilla like a mother. Mona Lisa Rodriguez, Jacinto’s niece, noted that the family raised Padilla out of love for Jacinto.
