Life In Prison For Man Guilty Of Murdering Dallas Mother Marisol Espinosa

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A jury has found Faustino Valdez guilty of murdering Dallas mother Marisol Espinosa. The jury deliberated for about an hour and half before reaching its decision on Friday.  It then sentenced him to life in prison.

Rosie Benavides, Espinosa's best friend said during victim-impact statements shortly after the sentencing, "Not only did you take her, but you robbed the kids of their mother, too... the ones that were going to need her the most."

Espinosa's mother, Rosmary Espinosa said, "Maybe one day I will forgive you; but, not today."

A co-worker told a story about how the workplace changed after her murder -- that for more than a year, they wouldn't allow anyone to use her work station at Toni & Guy at NorthPark. 

The catch-your-breath moment during the sentencing phase came when prosecutors showed the jury a text message that one of his young daughters sent Valdez just as the search was getting underway. It read, "Daddy, did you find Mommie?"

Valdez had already killed her. He will be eligible for parole in 30 years.

Marisol Espinosa was the mother of all three of Valdez's children.

Valdez had already killed her.

The jury of 10 women and two men found that Valdez killed Espinosa on December 29, 2015.

The 34-year-old was reported missing just after Christmas in 2015. Her SUV was found abandoned at a Pleasant Grove apartment complex with her purse still inside. She was headed to work at NorthPark Center but never made it there.

Espinosa's body was discovered two months later underneath a bridge in southeast Dallas.

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Valdez's mother and cousin told jurors on Thursday that he admitted to killing and dumping Espinosa's body in the Trinity River.

There were questions as to whether Valdez would testify on his own defense, but he opted not to do so.

The courtroom was reported to be completely silent as friends and family of Espinosa awaited the jury's decision. After hearing the verdict, they could be heard quietly crying.

Valdez is eligible for parole in 30 years.

In:
• Murder