Day 2 of Delgado Trial: Victim's Injuries and Past Accusations

New Details Emerge in the Trial of Billy Delgado

The second day of Billy Delgado’s trial brought forth more information about the shooting that left his ex-wife, Erica Torres, critically injured. Delgado is accused of shooting Torres five times on June 1, 2024. The incident led to a car crash involving multiple vehicles, and Torres was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

On Tuesday, July 29, the jury heard from several witnesses, including a cousin of Torres, a police sergeant, and the doctor who treated her. These testimonies provided insight into the events leading up to the shooting and the aftermath.

A Cousin's Perspective on Erica Torres

Kayla De La Cruz, a cousin of Torres, testified that Erica had never been abusive—either to her son or to Delgado. She described being at the scene of the crash where Torres’ car had stopped and what she witnessed that day. Her testimony aimed to paint a picture of Torres as a non-violent individual, countering any claims of aggression.

Police Sergeant Shares Insights on Past Abuse Claims

Sgt. Jesús Vaquera from the Laredo Police Department took the stand, providing details about a past report of possible sexual abuse involving Torres’ child. He explained that the child had claimed an uncle had touched them, but during an interview at the Children’s Advocacy Center, the claim was not repeated. As a result, the case was closed without further investigation. Vaquera faced questions from the defense about why more wasn’t done to follow up on the claim, but he emphasized the child’s fear and the absence of parents during the interview.

Doctor Describes Life-Threatening Injuries

Dr. Ivan Mederos, who treated Torres at Laredo Medical Center, detailed the severity of her injuries. Torres had been shot in the stomach, thigh, hand, and had a broken ankle. She lost a significant amount of blood and required emergency surgery. The doctor noted that if she hadn’t received prompt treatment, she would have died. He also mentioned that Torres will likely face long-term health issues, including regular checkups for nutrient deficiencies. The doctor confirmed that she would not fully recover.

During cross-examination, the defense questioned whether Dr. Mederos had a forensic degree and whether he could determine if the injuries were caused by bullets or the crash. He clarified that Torres had seatbelt injuries as well, indicating the impact of the accident.

Forensic Scientist Confirms Gunshot Residue

Rebekah Lloyd, a forensic scientist with the Texas Department of Public Safety, testified about the presence of gunshot residue (GSR) on evidence linked to Delgado. She explained how GSR can be found on a person’s body or clothes after a gun is fired. Her analysis found six particles of GSR on the test kit, which she confirmed came from Delgado. She stated that there were no errors in her report, as it followed national lab standards.

Lloyd also addressed concerns about contamination, stating that proper sealing would prevent it. While she wasn’t sure if the evidence was stored in a secure container, she confirmed that the state tracked the evidence appropriately.

Emotional Testimony from Erica Torres’ Mother

Inés Edith Terrazas, Erica Torres’ mother, gave emotional testimony about her daughter’s relationship with Delgado. She described their marriage in 2021 and the rocky nature of their relationship, though she never witnessed physical abuse. On the day of the shooting, she received a frantic call from Delgado’s mother, informing her that Billy had shot Erica.

Terrazas shared her shock and concern for her granddaughter, who was with Delgado at the time. She later learned that Erica had been taken to the hospital and was in critical condition. She described the long recovery process, including her daughter’s time in San Antonio and the challenges of caregiving. She expressed worries about Erica’s future and confirmed that she had filed a protective order against Delgado.

Erica Torres Takes the Stand

Erica Torres, the victim, gave a powerful testimony about her troubled relationship with Delgado, which began in 2010. Their daughter was born from that relationship, and they officially divorced in 2025. Torres described the toxic nature of their relationship, including arguments, drinking, and physical altercations. She admitted to feeling afraid and being controlled by Delgado.

Torres recounted a specific incident during a probation trip to San Antonio, where she was supposed to be driven by Delgado’s mother. Instead, Delgado insisted on driving her, leading to a tense and disturbing ride captured on video. She described the experience as traumatic and admitted to hitting Delgado in self-defense.

On the day of the shooting, Torres said Delgado called her and instructed her to take their daughter without asking questions. Concerned, she went to his apartment, where he shot her. She described the pain and fear she felt as she tried to drive herself to the hospital. She later woke up in the hospital, in severe pain, and expressed her fear of leaving her children behind.

Photos of her wounds were shown to the court, and Torres explained that she still suffers daily, has PTSD, and struggles with trust.

Defense Cross-Examines the Victim

The defense pressed Torres about previous arrests and confrontations. She admitted to slapping Delgado in the video and being arrested on two assault charges, one involving her brother. She claimed these were acts of self-defense and never pleaded guilty.

Billy Delgado Testifies

Billy Delgado took the stand in his own defense, admitting that their relationship was filled with arguments. He claimed that Torres had hit and scratched him multiple times and that he only used the gun out of fear that she would take their daughter away. He described his own troubled past, including a DWI at 22, but stated that he legally owned his firearm.

Delgado denied any intent to kill anyone, claiming he called his mother after the shooting and followed police instructions. He left the pistol and two magazines in his apartment before following the police’s guidance.