SAN ANTONIO – A man who was originally on trial for capital murder pleaded guilty to murder charges as part of a plea deal. Jacquay Howard was sentenced to 45 years in prison on Friday.
Howard, 32, and two other men opened fire on a group of rival gang members at a car wash on North New Braunfels Avenue and Gibbs Street last January. Two men were killed and seven others were injured.
Howard admitted to shooting one victim but claimed he fired in self-defense.
“The plea bargain we reached — we felt comported with justice when you consider all of the facts,” said Nico LaHood, Bexar County District Attorney.
LaHood said the facts were elusive.
“When you’re dealing with potential gang situations and this type of allegation, you have people who do not want to cooperate because it’s not something you do,” LaHood said. “You have people who are afraid to cooperate.”