Testimony began Monday in the trial of Francisco Espinoza Almeida, accused of fatally shooting 25-year-old Allen Sandoval in Albuquerque in January 2022. Both prosecution and defense attorneys told jurors that the killing stemmed from a jealousy-fueled confrontation involving Espinoza Almeida’s former girlfriend, Jenna Padilla.

Prosecutors argued that Espinoza Almeida, 26, committed first-degree murder by deliberately shooting Sandoval, who had spent the night at Padilla’s apartment. According to opening statements by prosecutor Gabriel Kallen, Espinoza Almeida sent text messages to Padilla on the morning of the shooting expressing suspicion that she had been with someone else. Kallen read from these messages, which included questions like, “What are you doing? Who are you with? You only ignore me when you’re with someone.”

Kallen said Espinoza Almeida, who lived in Southeast Albuquerque, armed himself with a handgun and drove to Padilla’s residence in the 6000 block of Sunset Gardens SW near Old Coors. Upon entering the home, he found Sandoval in Padilla’s bedroom and shot him 13 times, inflicting fatal injuries. “Those are unsurvivable injuries,” Kallen said.

The defense, led by attorney Megan Mitsunaga, urged the jury to consider a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter, arguing that the shooting was not premeditated but triggered by a sudden emotional outburst. Mitsunaga described Espinoza Almeida as deeply in love with Padilla and unprepared to discover Sandoval in her home. “The shock of heartbreak, when it is shoved in your face, can unleash powerful emotions beyond our control,” Mitsunaga told the jury.

Mitsunaga further maintained that Espinoza Almeida always carried a handgun for personal protection, and that the fatal shooting occurred in a moment of anger and jealousy rather than planned intent. The defense portrayed the relationship between Espinoza Almeida and Padilla as complicated but deeply connected. Espinoza Almeida became emotional in court as his attorney recounted his close attachment to Padilla.

Padilla’s mother, Elana Volpert, testified that she called 911 on the day of the incident after discovering the shooting. She said her daughter and Espinoza Almeida had a “volatile” on-again, off-again relationship that began in 2019 when Padilla was 17 and Espinoza Almeida 19. Volpert noted the couple’s frequent breakups and reconciliations, adding that Padilla had been living with Espinoza Almeida for some time before their recent separation.

Officers found Sandoval dead in the bedroom with multiple gunshot wounds. The trial continues as jurors weigh whether the shooting constitutes first-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter.