FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Law Office of Rolando D. Cantu Secures Not Guilty Verdict in 2022 Weslaco Stabbing Case

Weslaco, Texas - October 7, 2025

A Hidalgo County jury has found Jose Alfonso Lopez, 30, of Weslaco, not guilty of murder in connection with the 2022 death of 21-year-old Edel Galvan. The verdict, delivered Thursday, ends more than three years of legal proceedings stemming from the discovery of Galvan’s body following a grass fire in rural Weslaco.

Case Background

In the early hours of July 29, 2022, firefighters responding to a blaze near Mile 13 1/2 North, just east of Mile 4, in rural Weslaco, discovered a body at the scene. Within two hours, authorities arrested Lopez, who was found walking near the scene.

According to investigators, a local resident called authorities later that morning (around 6:14 a.m.) to report that someone he knew by the nickname “Ponchis” had allegedly stabbed and set fire to his friend. That tip led officers to Lopez’s home. The same witness claimed he saw the two men fighting before Galvan collapsed.

When deputies questioned Lopez, he first gave another name and hesitated when asked to confirm it. Moments later, he ran into nearby brush but was quickly caught. Jail records later showed he faced an additional charge unrelated to the homicide after being found with a lighter concealed in his clothing.

Despite the early arrest, the case was built largely on statements from a single witness and limited physical evidence, key issues that would later become central to the defense.

Defense Approach

From the start, the defense pressed the State on several key points:

Attorney Rolando D. Cantu and his team challenged the State’s evidence persistently.
They pressed on weaknesses in witness credibility, forensic gaps or inconsistencies, and procedural safeguards.
They filed motions, cross-examined aggressively, and offered alternative narratives supported by their experts..

Attorney Cantu’s team highlighted gaps that raised reasonable doubt. They argued the prosecution’s case was built more on assumption than fact.

Verdict and Reaction

After reviewing the evidence and hearing closing arguments, the jury returned a Not Guilty verdict on all counts.

Attorney Rolando D. Cantu commented:

“We appreciate the jury’s careful attention and their commitment to upholding the presumption of innocence. This case reminds us that every defendant deserves a fair trial and that the burden of proof always rests with the State.”

The verdict brings closure to a case that drew local attention and underscores the role of strong criminal defense in protecting constitutional rights.

About the Law Office of Rolando D. Cantu

Based in the Rio Grande Valley, the Law Office of Rolando D. Cantu focuses on criminal defense at the local, state, and federal levels. The firm is known for its trial experience and commitment to clients facing serious charges across South Texas.