Travis County Jury Convicts Man Charged with Two Counts of Murder

Travis County, TX — On Monday, January 27, 2025, a Travis County jury convicted Abel Bermudez-Ornelas, 44, of two counts of Murder.

Jury selection started on Monday, January 13, 2025, and testimony began on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. On Monday, January 27, 2025, the jury started deliberations and found Mr. Bermudez-Ornelas guilty of two counts of Murder. On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, the jury assessed his punishment at 60 years for each count of Murder to be served concurrently at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

On April 16, 2022, the Travis County Sheriff’s Office arrested Mr. Bermudez-Ornelas and charged him with Capital Murder of Multiple Persons for the deaths of Leonel Ayala, 30, and Raul Molina, 44, which took place on April 9, 2022.

On July 21, 2022, Mr. Bermudez-Ornelas was indicted for the offenses of Capital Murder of Multiple Persons and two counts of Murder. On Monday, January 13, 2025, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office proceeded to trial on the two counts of first-degree Murder.

Assistant District Attorneys Jean Sullivan, Dominic Selvera, and Valerie Desrosier presented the case against Mr. Bermudez-Ornelas with the support of Investigator Jesse Hernandez, Victim Counselor Terrience Greene, Paralegal Allison Matous, and Legal Secretary Ana-Laura Mujica. Travis County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Ben Wright, Javier Hernandez, and Jennifer Boland investigated Mr. Bermudez-Ornelas’ case.

“Our office is grateful to our dedicated staff and law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to hold the defendant accountable and seek justice for both of the victims’ families,” said Travis County District Attorney José Garza. “We hope
this verdict continues to help the families with their healing process.”

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