Hitman in Rowlett murder-for-hire plot sentenced to life in prison

DALLAS - The man who killed a Rowlett mother has been sentenced to life in prison.

It took jurors only 45 minutes Monday to find Jesus Trevino guilty of capital murder for the death of 37-year-old Laura Grillo.

Prosecutors said Grillo’s fiancé, Ioannis “John” Markis, paid Trevino $15,000 to shoot and kill her a week before their wedding day in 2015.  Trevino was one of Markis’ employees and was set to be a groomsman in the wedding.

In opening statements, prosecutors said Trevino planned the murder so well, it took investigators more than six months to unravel it all. But they were able to convince a jury of his guilt with the help of testimony from James Villeda.

Villeda previously agreed to a 25-year plea deal in exchange for his truthful testimony. He told jurors that Trevino recruited him to drive the getaway car for $1,000 on the day of Grillo’s murder.

He described how they planned the murder, to the point of buying a car, wearing hoodies and masks, and disposing of evidence afterward.

Villeda also said he and Trevino tried to commit the murder three times before, but couldn’t because neighbors were outside. Makris was agitated it was taking them so long, he said.

Trevino received an automatic life sentence without a chance for parole.

Markis was also convicted and sentenced to life in prison for orchestrating the murder-for-hire plot.