San Antonio man found guilty of 2021 murder of veteran helping stranger fix his car Punishment phase underway for Leopoldo Mora
SAN ANTONIO – A jury took only about one hour Wednesday to find Leopoldo Mora guilty of murder.
Mora shot and killed Kenneth Salazar while he was helping a stranger fix his vehicle in June 2021 outside a West Side motel.
The defendant had no reaction as the guilty verdict was read by 226th District Court Judge Velia Meza.
The punishment phase got underway Wednesday afternoon.
Salazar’s wife took the stand to talk about how he was a Gulf War Veteran, cancer survivor and loved fixing cars and motorcycles.
Kenneth Salazar was murdered in 2021 outside a West Side motel. (Copyright 2023 by KSAT - All rights reserved.) The couple had three kids and six grandchildren.
“Our grandchildren will never know him, he won’t be able to walk our daughter down the aisle,” Laura Salazar said. “I miss him terribly.”
Closing arguments for the sentencing phase are expected on Thursday. Because Mora had prior convictions, his range of punishment is enhanced to 25 to 99 years or life in prison.
Related: Copyright 2023 by KSAT - All rights reserved.
About the Authors Erica Hernandez headshot
Erica Hernandez is an Emmy award-winning journalist with 15 years of experience in the broadcast news business. Erica has covered a wide array of stories all over Central and South Texas. She's currently the court reporter and cohost of the podcast Texas Crime Stories.
Misael Gomez headshot
Misael started at KSAT-TV as a photojournalist in 1987.
How to protect your pets during cold weather in South Texas ▶ 2:11
How to protect your pets during cold weather in South Texas
Kerrville landowner plans monument to honor volunteers who aided during deadly July 4 floods ▶ 1:48
Kerrville landowner plans monument to honor volunteers who aided during deadly July 4 floods
Woman arrested, accused of fatally shooting man in west Bexar County, sheriff says ▶ 1:51
Woman arrested, accused of fatally shooting man in west Bexar County, sheriff says
From Hill Country flooding to Bexar County wildfires, here are the Top 5 weather events of 2025 ▶ 2:16
From Hill Country flooding to Bexar County wildfires, here are the Top 5 weather events of 2025
US Army veteran from Texas credits wilderness therapy for helping adjust to civilian life ▶ 0:55
US Army veteran from Texas credits wilderness therapy for helping adjust to civilian life
Pope Leo’s first Christmas brings a powerful message ▶ 1:16
Pope Leo’s first Christmas brings a powerful message
Erica Hernandez talked to Fluffy about his special relationship with San Antonio. ▶ 1:39
Erica Hernandez talked to Fluffy about his special relationship with San Antonio.
FBI warns of ‘modern-day terrorism’ as Texas-born extremist group targets youth online ▶ 1:41
FBI warns of ‘modern-day terrorism’ as Texas-born extremist group targets youth online
Kerrville landowner plans monument to honor volunteers who aided during deadly July 4 floods ▶ 1:48
Kerrville landowner plans monument to honor volunteers who aided during deadly July 4 floods
Bystander rescues woman trapped after plane crash in Galveston ▶ 0:51
Bystander rescues woman trapped after plane crash in Galveston
Here's where letters to Santa go every Christmas ▶ 1:36
Here's where letters to Santa go every Christmas
TxDOT begins construction on multi-year US Highway 90 expansion project ▶ 1:21
TxDOT begins construction on multi-year US Highway 90 expansion project
Bexar County's Military and Veteran Services Department director placed on leave ▶ 1:30
Bexar County's Military and Veteran Services Department director placed on leave
Caught on camera: Shootout between man, BCSO deputies leaves neighborhood shocked ▶ 1:57
Caught on camera: Shootout between man, BCSO deputies leaves neighborhood shocked
San Antonio police urge reporting of minor porch thefts ▶ 1:18
San Antonio police urge reporting of minor porch thefts
Shoplifter charged with attempted murder after pointing gun at officer ▶ 1:04
Shoplifter charged with attempted murder after pointing gun at officer
Woman becomes first wheelchair user to travel to space ▶ 0:45
Woman becomes first wheelchair user to travel to space
Gibson Costume Shop, a 100-year-old San Antonio staple, to begin liquidation sales in January ▶ 1:06
Gibson Costume Shop, a 100-year-old San Antonio staple, to begin liquidation sales in January
2 deputies fatally shoot man after he fires at them during domestic disturbance call, BCSO says ▶ 0:58
2 deputies fatally shoot man after he fires at them during domestic disturbance call, BCSO says
What parents can do to help children stay safe online ▶ 0:56
What parents can do to help children stay safe online
Any dog can be ‘dangerous’ 🐾 ▶ 0:57
Any dog can be ‘dangerous’ 🐾
What to know about holiday travel as AAA projects new record ▶ 0:53
What to know about holiday travel as AAA projects new record
Steele High School student conductor reimagines 'Joy to the World' ▶ 1:51
Steele High School student conductor reimagines 'Joy to the World'
Service members traveling through San Antonio International for the holidays ▶ 1:08
Service members traveling through San Antonio International for the holidays
Salvation Army helps thousands of San Antonio children through Angel Tree program ▶ 0:56
Salvation Army helps thousands of San Antonio children through Angel Tree program
Previous photo Next photo