A Fort Worth man was acquitted of murder in the fatal stabbing of his friend, with a jury finding that he acted in self-defense during a chaotic altercation.
Juan Ramos Escamilla, 43, was cleared of all charges last week following a short deliberation by a Tarrant County District Courts jury.
The jury’s decision came after a two-week trial, where defense attorneys argued Escamilla had no choice but to defend himself and his wife when a physical altercation spiraled out of control at their home in the early morning hours of July 31, 2023.
Escamilla was arrested at the scene of the incident, which took place at his home in the 4500 block of Merida Avenue around 3 a.m. that morning. Authorities say he fatally stabbed 38-year-old Augustine Pineda once in the abdomen during the argument, according to a report from CBS News.
Lawyers for Escamilla claim that Pineda was drunk and had become aggressive and violent, lashing out at both Escamilla and his wife and that Escamilla feared for the safety of himself and his family when he stabbed the man. The defense team has consistently maintained that Escamilla acted out of necessity rather than malice.
“Juan was forced to defend himself, his wife, and her friends in a moment of fear and confusion during an argument with his friend,” Kara Carreras, one of Escamilla’s defense attorneys, said via press release.
Escamilla took the stand during the trial, recounting the tense moments that led to Pineda’s death. He testified that the altercation began outside, where Pineda became physical with several women, including Escamilla’s wife, according to CBS News.
The jury deliberated briefly before reaching their decision in the case, ultimately agreeing that the stabbing was an act of self-defense.
“Everyone has the right to defend themselves and those they love,” added Christy Jack, a member of Escamilla’s defense team.