ATASCOSA COUNTY, Texas — A man accused of killing a father in Atascosa County in August is set to be sentenced Wednesday, according to the victim’s family.
26-year-old Joseph Saiz has a hearing set for 2 p.m. at the Atascosa County Justice Center. He is one of two suspects charged for murdering 22-year-old Ricky Bernal Jr. 19-year-old Cason Cash Raymond is also charged with murder.
Atascosa County deputies said on August 19, Bernal was found shot in his backyard at home off Big Leaf Road.
His grandmother, Romanita Urdiales, said she discovered him with a gunshot wound in his neck.
“Ricky no, no Ricky, no and he wouldn’t answer me,” Urdiales said.
She said to this day, she won’t go into her backyard. Witnesses told deputies they spotted the suspects drive away but they were eventually caught.
Maria Leon is Bernal’s mother. She said to this day, she still does not know what led up to the shooting.
“I’ll get to hear what happened and I know it’ll break me down and I’ll have to relive it all over again, but I need to know,” Leon said.
The family says Saiz was Bernal’s friend and the one who pulled the trigger.
“He let him stay at the house for a couple days,” Urdiales said.
Bernal was a father, leaving behind an 8-year-old son.
“He’s young and I’m thinking in his head, his dad is going to come back and he’s not,” Leon said.
Leon admits she is still thinking about what she will say to Saiz when she is able to face him in court Wednesday.
“God says to forgive everybody, but I still can’t, I’m not ready,” Leon said.
The Atascosa County District Attorney’s Office said they will not comment on the case until after the hearing.
“I just want justice for my baby,” Leon said
