Garland Convenience Store Shooting Trial Day 3: Accused shooter's father breaks down on the stand
DALLAS - Testimony continued in the capital murder trial of Richard Acosta, the father of a teenager accused of shooting and killing three other teens at a Garland convenience store.
On Thursday, the prosecution and defense questioned Detective Lucas Shupe, who testified that Richard appeared to be "casing" the convenience store, prior to his son, Abel Acosta, allegedly opening fire inside.
Richard took the stand around 1:30 p.m., and had a much different explanation about what happened that night.
He said he believed his 14-year-old son was going to the convenience store to talk to a some people about a necklace that had been taken.
14-year-old Xavier Gonzalez, 17-year-old Rafael Garcia and 16-year-old Ivan Noyala were killed in the shooting on Dec. 26, 2021.
"My purpose was to go in and grab two packs of Tylenol my wife needed. That was it, nothing more," Richard said.
He testified that when he returned to his white Dodge Ram truck, then parked facing the entrance of the store, Abel asked him about two guys he had seen walk in. We now know them to be Garcia and Noyola.
"He pointed to those guys right there. I said they didn't tell me anything." Richard said.
He said he had never seen the teens before that night, and didn't know who they were.
Richard told the jury his son told him the duo knew who had stolen a necklace of his, and wanted to talk to them.
Garland Convenience Store Shooting Trial: Richard Acosta takes stand in his own defense
Defense attorneys question Richard Acosta about what happened on the night of the shooting which killed three teenagers at a Garland convenience store. Acosta's son, Abel Acosta, is the suspected shooter. Richard Acosta said he did not know what his son was going to do that night and denied helping him avoid the police.
He added that his son did not appear to be angry.
"I thought he was going to ask them a question, the whereabouts of his necklace. Nothing that alarmed me," Richard explained.
He said he agreed to let his son go inside the store.
Richard claimed that as he was circling around the gas pumps, Abel tried to jump out.
"When I told him to relax, he takes off his shirt and I accidentally hit a man's truck," he recalled.
We now know that truck belonged to Noyola's uncle, who was waiting for his nephew and Garcia to get their tacos.
Richard eventually drove back around and said he told his son to hurry up, which is why he kept the truck in drive, and also why he thought Abel jumped out and quickly made his way towards the store.
Acosta testified he had no idea his son was armed.
[ATTORNEY: "If you had seen him with a firearm, what would you have done?"]
"I would've got off, I would've tried to do something. I would've tried to stop any situation if he was trying to harm somebody," Richard said.
Garland Convenience Store Shooting Trial: Prosecution grills Richard Acosta on shooting
Prosecutors cross-examined Richard Acosta on Thursday, who took the stand in his own defense. Acosta faces a capital murder charge. He is accused of acting as the getaway driver for his son, accused shooter Abel Acosta.
Richard testified that he was listening to the radio and never saw his son enter the store or shoot anyone.
He said he ducked down as the gunfire erupted. Next thing he knew, Abel jumped into the backseat, sitting directly behind him, and told him to drive.
"He says, ‘Go, get out. Somebody is shooting. Get me out of here,’" Richard recalled.
Richard said he never saw a gun, and tried to question his son, but Abel seemed scared and agitated.
When he went to check on him at a later time, Richard said Abel was gone.
Abel has not been seen since.
Richard said he does not know where his son is.
"We don't know if he's alive. Nobody knows if he's even breathing or anything. Nobody knows," Acosta said.
He went on to express sympathy to the families of the victims.
"It is the most horrible thing. I can't imagine how those families feel. We all lost a son that day. I will never get to see my son again," he said through tears. "He's going to spend the rest of his life in prison."
Richard went on to say that if his son is caught, he should go to prison for killing the three teens, while also maintaining he had nothing to do with it.
On Wednesday, the bulk the testimony centered around forensic evidence, including fingerprints and bullet casings found at the crime scene.
The jury was also shown video of Richard's interview with police after he turned himself in.
Abel, who was 14 at the time of the shooting, has been identified as the person seen on video pulling the trigger.
Richard was outside the convenience in a truck, and drove his son away from the scene.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Garland Convenience Store Shooting Trial Day 2: Interview with father of suspected shooter played in court
- Garland convenience store shooting trial begins, father of accused shooter faces capital murder charge
- 14-year-old Garland triple murder suspect still on the run
- Garland shooting: Abel Acosta's father didn't know about shooting, attorney claims
- Funeral services set for final Garland shooting victim; suspected shooter still at-large
Prosecutors are trying to prove that Richard knew his son intended to shoot Garcia and Noyola that night because of a previous encounter with the duo, and that he helped his son commit the capital murder and later escape.
The defense said Richard did not know what was going to happen on the night of the shooting.
Abel is still on the run.
This case could go to the jury Friday.