Jessica Cortina, a 36-year-old elementary school teacher from San Benito, Texas, tragically lost her life on November 14, 2017. She was fatally shot five times by her husband, Alvaro Mata Jr., in front of their four sons, aged 17 and 4, who witnessed the horrific incident. The shooting occurred during a domestic disturbance call, and the couple's eldest son placed the 911 call after finding his mother bleeding from her chest.
Alvaro Mata Jr., who was 40 years old at the time, claimed
that the shooting was accidental and occurred because he became enraged when Jessica wouldn't let him look at her phone. However, the court found him guilty of first-degree murder. In January 2019, Mata pleaded guilty to the murder of Jessica Cortina, and in March 2019, he was sentenced to 50 years in prison as part of a plea deal to spare the children from having to testify in court.
The Cameron County Sheriff's Office arrested Mata hours after the shooting, and he faced up to 99 years in prison before the plea deal was reached. The judge, Adolfo Cordova, sentenced Mata to the maximum term of 50 years, rejecting the character references provided by Mata's friends and family. The Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District, where Jessica taught, expressed its sorrow at her passing and provided counselors for students and staff.
This tragic case highlights the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of support systems for victims and their families. Jessica Cortina's memory lives on through her work as an educator and the love of her family and friends.
