SAN ANTONIO – Before the first juror was even seated, Judge Jefferson Moore had a stern warning for Christian Ivan Bautista.
Bautista, 31, is accused of stabbing to death Lauren Bump, 24, as she jogged along the trails in the O.P. Schnabel Park on New Year’s Eve 2013.
He was making grunting sounds as deputies escorted Bautista into the 186th District Court courtroom Monday morning, prompting an admonishment from the judge.
“Mr. Bautista, I’m going to have to ask you to be quiet while we are conducting business, please,” Moore said.
“Throughout the trial, I’m going to request that you also not speak out of turn and that you wait until you’re asked either by me or by your lawyers,” he said. “The reason I bring that up is that it’s my understanding that there were some issues about your behavior during your competency trial.”
In that trial, during which Bautista was found competent, court records show that Bautista exposed himself and made lewd sexual remarks to a female prosecutor.
“I will not allow any outbursts during this trial,” Moore warned Bautista. “If you start acting up, then I’ll have to make some necessary arrangements that will prevent you from acting up.”
Testimony is set to begin on Tuesday. A conviction could mean life in prison for Bautista.