Cameron County, TX (KRGV) — Jurors heard tense exchanges Wednesday between the Cameron County district attorney and a witness during the capital murder trial of Rogelio Martinez.

Martinez was found guilty earlier this month of killing San Benito police Lt. Milton Resendez in 2023. The trial is now in the punishment phase, and jurors must now decide whether to recommend the death penalty or life in prison without parole for Martinez.

Prosecutors rested their case on Monday.

Sandra Dragustino told jurors she had known Martinez since he was 12 and described him as respectful and pleasant. She said he dated her daughter and would stay at her house for several days at a time without anyone from his family calling to check on him. Dragustino said she never felt her daughter was in danger and never saw Martinez act violently.

During cross-examination, Cameron County District Attorney Luis V. Saenz confronted Dragustino about the guilty verdict and held up the gun used in the killing. Dragustino said she respected the verdict but disagreed with it.

The two went back and forth, with Dragustino pushing back against Saenz’s questions. Saenz said Martinez killed an officer, and Dragustino responded that she did not think Martinez woke up planning to kill anyone. Saenz showed her the murder weapon, and Dragustino said Martinez’s blood was not on it. The exchange grew tense as they challenged each other’s statements.

Dragustino also shared that Martinez once cried at a birthday party because he had never had one before. She said she learned about abuse in his home and believed he needed love and guidance.

The defense called several other witnesses to describe Martinez’s childhood. His aunt, Victoria Ortiz, told jurors about abuse, neglect, and a lack of necessities at home. She said Martinez was often mistreated, malnourished, and kicked out of the house.

Clinical and forensic psychologist Dr. Yenys Castillo testified that Martinez’s family had about 75 Child Protective Services interventions. She said years of trauma can affect how someone makes decisions but acknowledged Martinez made a choice the day Resendez was killed.

Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Daniel Murry told jurors he spent five hours interviewing Martinez and reviewed his records. He testified that serious violence in prison is rare and concluded prison violence was unlikely for Martinez.

Prosecutors pointed out that Martinez’s sister grew up in the same environment and did not go on to commit murder.

Testimony will continue on Thursday.

Watch the video above for the full story.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE OF ROGELIO MARTINEZ PUNISHMENT PHASE:

• Prosecutors rest case in punishment phase for man convicted of killing San Benito officer
• Jurors hear about neglect and childhood trauma in Rogelio Martinez death penalty trial