Travis County Juries Convict Two Men of Murder

On Friday, March 1, 2024, a Travis County jury convicted John Steven Hernandez, 36, of Murder. Jury selection began on Monday, February 26, 2024, with testimony starting on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. On Friday, March 1, 2024, the jury deliberated and found Mr. Hernandez guilty of Murder and assessed his punishment at 36 years to be served in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

The Austin Police Department arrested Mr. Hernandez on October 4, 2022, for the murder of Marisela Gonzalez, 32, which took place on September 15, 2022. On December 21, 2022, Mr. Hernandez was indicted with the offense of Murder.

The case against Mr. Hernandez was tried by Assistant District Attorneys David Levingston and Emily Scholten, with the support of Investigator John Holliday, Victim Counselors Julie Sweeney and Agustina Romero, Paralegal Katrina Spradling, and Legal Secretary Carmen Amaro. Mr. Hernandez’s case was investigated by Austin Police Department Homicide Detective Ericka Valenzuela with the assistance of APD Crime Scene Unit/Forensic Science Department personnel Jessica Quezada and William Welch.

In a separate case, on Friday, March 1, 2024, a Travis County jury convicted James Marcus Neves, 57, of Murder. Jury selection began on Monday, February 26, 2024, and testimony started on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. On Friday, March 1, 2024, the jury deliberated and found Mr. Neves guilty of Murder. On Monday, March 4, 2024, the jury continued to assess his punishment.

The Austin Police Department arrested Mr. Neves on October 26, 2021, for the murder of his wife, Vanessa Alessandra Neves, 41, that took place on the same day. On December 21, 2021, Mr. Neves was indicted with the offense of Murder.

The case against Mr. Neves was tried by Assistant District Attorneys Neha Kaik, Kate Hall, and Cindy Izquierdo, with the support of Investigator Mike Henderson, Victim Counselor Julie Sweeney, Paralegal Raquel Sanchez, and Legal Secretary Chardell Clark. Mr. Neve’s case was investigated by Austin Police Department Detectives Daniel Jackson and Jennifer Taylor.

“Our office is grateful to our dedicated staff and law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to hold the defendants accountable and seek justice for the victim’s family,” said Travis County District Attorney José Garza. “We hope these verdicts bring closure and peace to the victim’s family.”