Man who killed teen at graduation party in 2022 sentenced 25 years per a plea deal Manuel Hernandez must serve half of his sentence before eligible for parole
Manuel Howard Hernandez was charged with murder, records with the Bexar County Jail show. (Bexar County Jail)
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man accused of killing a 19-year-old at a Northwest Side graduation party in June 2022 was sentenced to 25 years in prison per a plea deal on Thursday.
Manuel Hernandez pleaded no contest to murder for the fatal shooting of Joshua Palma.
Hernandez shot Palma after the two bumped into each other and began arguing at a party at a home in the 7400 block of Rimhurst Drive , not far from Loop 1604 and Shaenfield Road.
A witness to the shooting told police they saw Hernandez holding a gun after the shooting.
The arrest of Hernandez didn’t happen until more than three months after Palma was killed.
Hernandez was sentenced in the 437th District Court and must serve half of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.
Copyright 2024 by KSAT - All rights reserved.
About the Author 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.
Jefferson Middle School student arrested, charged with assault of another student, NISD police say ▶ 0:53
Jefferson Middle School student arrested, charged with assault of another student, NISD police say
Federal government sends letters to student loan borrowers about wage garnishments ▶ 1:21
Federal government sends letters to student loan borrowers about wage garnishments
Bexar County judge’s ‘no-contact’ order sparks claims of retaliation and erratic courtroom behavior ▶ 1:41
Bexar County judge’s ‘no-contact’ order sparks claims of retaliation and erratic courtroom behavior
Immigrant rams into ICE vehicles in San Antonio, injuring officer, agency says ▶ 2:25
Immigrant rams into ICE vehicles in San Antonio, injuring officer, agency says
At-home flu tests: What you need to know before taking one ▶ 1:59
At-home flu tests: What you need to know before taking one
Former teacher's aide describes encounter with Robb Elementary School gunman ▶ 1:29
Former teacher's aide describes encounter with Robb Elementary School gunman
Here's what's been found in the San Antonio river so far ▶ 0:48
Here's what's been found in the San Antonio river so far
Texas law schools no longer required to be accredited by American Bar Association ▶ 0:53
Texas law schools no longer required to be accredited by American Bar Association
There are not enough mental health workers in Texas. What is the state doing about it? ▶ 0:48
There are not enough mental health workers in Texas. What is the state doing about it?
Bexar County judge denies woman’s appeal to lift ‘dangerous dog’ ruling on 5 puppies ▶ 1:07
Bexar County judge denies woman’s appeal to lift ‘dangerous dog’ ruling on 5 puppies
Former Robb teacher testifies about the moments her and her students experienced during shooting ▶ 2:46
Former Robb teacher testifies about the moments her and her students experienced during shooting
Woman escorted out of courtroom following emotional response during Adrian Gonzales trial ▶ 0:58
Woman escorted out of courtroom following emotional response during Adrian Gonzales trial
Man ‘stunned’ by fire damage to neighbors’ North Side home ▶ 0:50
Man ‘stunned’ by fire damage to neighbors’ North Side home
$10 million in relief activated for small businesses affected by Hill Country flooding ▶ 1:13
$10 million in relief activated for small businesses affected by Hill Country flooding
Financial expert shares how to set a ‘financial reset’ budget plan for year ahead ▶ 1:16
Financial expert shares how to set a ‘financial reset’ budget plan for year ahead
Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas, singer Coco Jones to be featured guests at MLK March and Celebration ▶ 0:36
Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas, singer Coco Jones to be featured guests at MLK March and Celebration
Former Robb teacher remembers hearing children's voices calling for officers' help ▶ 0:48
Former Robb teacher remembers hearing children's voices calling for officers' help
Criminals cloning license plates ▶ 1:02
Criminals cloning license plates
DRONE VIDEO- Tour the drained San Antonio River ▶ 1:18
DRONE VIDEO- Tour the drained San Antonio River
Former Robb Elementary teacher who survived shooting testifies in ex-Uvalde CISD officer’s trial ▶ 1:16
Former Robb Elementary teacher who survived shooting testifies in ex-Uvalde CISD officer’s trial
Look at the River Walk as it's being drained ▶ 0:57
Look at the River Walk as it's being drained
More construction begins downtown as city, Centro San Antonio work to ease impact ▶ 1:21
More construction begins downtown as city, Centro San Antonio work to ease impact
People in Northeast Side neighborhood fearful about repeated nighttime gunfire ▶ 0:59
People in Northeast Side neighborhood fearful about repeated nighttime gunfire
Video shows former Bexar County day care employee accused of injuring child ▶ 0:57
Video shows former Bexar County day care employee accused of injuring child
Culinary students cook up innovative food at food entrepreneurship boot camp ▶ 0:45
Culinary students cook up innovative food at food entrepreneurship boot camp
Previous photo Next photo