Judge sentences man to maximum sentence allowed by law for slaying at VIA bus stop Jose Rocha eligible for parole after serving 30 years
227th District Court Judge Christine Del Prado sentenced Jose Rocha to the maximum sentence allowed by law. (KSAT)
SAN ANTONIO – In the 227th District Court, Judge Christine Del Prado sentenced Jose Rocha to the maximum sentence allowed by law.
Rocha in early March was found guilty by a jury in the 2015 murder of Aaron Riedner.
Riedner was fatally shot by Rocha as the two got off a VIA bus at Buena Vista and South Zarzamora.
The trial took years to begin as Rocha was found incompetent in 2017 and competency wasn’t restored until 2021.
Rocha was also sentenced to 25 years on the separate charge of deadly weapon in a penal institute.
The two sentences will run concurrently and he is also eligible for parole after serving 30 years.
Copyright 2024 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.
Atascosa County Sheriff's Office vehicle struck during traffic stop ▶ 0:20
Atascosa County Sheriff's Office vehicle struck during traffic stop
H-E-B, Meals on Wheels preparing for 33rd annual Feast of Sharing this weekend ▶ 1:00
H-E-B, Meals on Wheels preparing for 33rd annual Feast of Sharing this weekend
Habitat for Humanity Kerr County faces delays to repair 12 homes by year’s end ▶ 1:16
Habitat for Humanity Kerr County faces delays to repair 12 homes by year’s end
San Antonio man has reunited more than 200 people with lost class rings nationwide ▶ 1:18
San Antonio man has reunited more than 200 people with lost class rings nationwide
Local businesses launch donation drive for South Side family after fatal crash ▶ 0:45
Local businesses launch donation drive for South Side family after fatal crash
Hill Country camps add flood-warning towers months after deadly July 4 floods ▶ 1:14
Hill Country camps add flood-warning towers months after deadly July 4 floods
Suspected thief stole more than $200K in jewelry from San Antonio businesses, police say ▶ 0:50
Suspected thief stole more than $200K in jewelry from San Antonio businesses, police say
BCSO: Woman scammed out of $36K by caller who instructed her to deposit funds into Bitcoin ATM ▶ 1:55
BCSO: Woman scammed out of $36K by caller who instructed her to deposit funds into Bitcoin ATM
Fog and drizzle safety tips from Meteorologist Sarah Spivey ▶ 1:11
Fog and drizzle safety tips from Meteorologist Sarah Spivey
Trinity University, SwRI developing nasal spray treatment to combat PTSD ▶ 0:20
Trinity University, SwRI developing nasal spray treatment to combat PTSD
City housing administrator signed for dead homeowner; other employees altered records, audit finds ▶ 1:18
City housing administrator signed for dead homeowner; other employees altered records, audit finds
Spurs Fans react to NBA Cup finals loss ▶ 1:21
Spurs Fans react to NBA Cup finals loss
Credit card skimmers discovered at Circle K near Stone Oak, Hollywood Park police chief says ▶ 1:46
Credit card skimmers discovered at Circle K near Stone Oak, Hollywood Park police chief says
What's happening on KSAT Sports Now this week! ▶ 0:43
What's happening on KSAT Sports Now this week!
South Texas man sets world record for oldest wingsuit jumper ▶ 1:59
South Texas man sets world record for oldest wingsuit jumper
Hill Country flood survivors face new needs as cold weather drives demand for winter essentials ▶ 1:16
Hill Country flood survivors face new needs as cold weather drives demand for winter essentials
San Antonio mom gets holiday homecoming surprise from active-duty military sons ▶ 1:12
San Antonio mom gets holiday homecoming surprise from active-duty military sons
Spurs fans honk horns downtown after win vs. Thunder in NBA Cup semifinals ▶ 0:15
Spurs fans honk horns downtown after win vs. Thunder in NBA Cup semifinals
Residents upset with speeding and lack of crosswalks at West Side intersection ▶ 1:03
Residents upset with speeding and lack of crosswalks at West Side intersection
Abraham Quintanilla, father of music icon Selena, has died, family says ▶ 1:08
Abraham Quintanilla, father of music icon Selena, has died, family says
San Antonio family navigates life separated amid $30K immigration battle ▶ 2:10
San Antonio family navigates life separated amid $30K immigration battle
Skydiver dangles at 15,000 feet after parachute catches on plane's tail ▶ 0:31
Skydiver dangles at 15,000 feet after parachute catches on plane's tail
San Antonio Catholic faithful embark on traditional journey honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe ▶ 1:01
San Antonio Catholic faithful embark on traditional journey honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe
2 dead in shooting at Stone Oak apartment complex, SAPD says ▶ 0:46
2 dead in shooting at Stone Oak apartment complex, SAPD says
🦍 Congo Falls gorilla exhibit at San Antonio Zoo to open this weekend ▶ 1:47
🦍 Congo Falls gorilla exhibit at San Antonio Zoo to open this weekend
Previous photo Next photo