EDINBURG – On April 16, 2024, a Hidalgo County jury found Karla Marlen Deleon, 51, of Edinburg, Texas, guilty of murder, announced Hidalgo County District Attorney Toribio “Terry” Palacios.

On December 8, 2019, Edinburg police officers responded to 713 East Russell Road in Edinburg, Texas. According to officers, Karla and Hector Deleon were involved in a domestic dispute that escalated. Mrs. Deleon told police that Mr. Deleon had been assaulting her and in the process she grabbed a gun and shot him. Mr. Deleon was pronounced dead at the scene. Mrs. Deleon claimed she acted in self-defense.

After a week of testimony, it was revealed that Mr. Deleon was in the process of leaving and packing his clothing during the argument. During that process, Mrs. Deleon grabbed a gun and shot Mr. Deleon in the back of the head during the heated exchange. After the guilty verdict, Karla Deleon was sentenced to 18 years in prison by the jury. The trial was heard by Judge Joe Ramirez of the 464^th District Court of Hidalgo County, Texas.

The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Edinburg Police Department.

Assistant District Attorneys Jay Garza and Gretchen Flader prosecuted the case.