San Antonio, Texas, May 24, 2017: Today, a Bexar County jury in the 186th District Court sentenced Richard Luis Amezquita, age 37, to 60 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the murder of Kerry O’Toole.
On November 7, 2015, Amezquita was working as a home security salesman when he approached a home on the 1000 block of Visor Drive, in North San Antonio. The homeowner, later identified as 53-year-old Kerry O’Toole, had a “no soliciting” sign on the front door. Amezquita later told San Antonio police that O’Toole answered the door agitated and began attacking him a short time later – kicking and choking him. Amezquita told police he went to his vehicle where he retrieved a handgun. Amezquita claimed O’Toole began throwing rocks at him, when he fired his weapon at him – killing him. Amezquita left the scene and called 911, claiming self-defense. He was arrested nearby from where the shooting had occurred. Evidence at the scene did not support Amezquita’s allegations of self-defense.
O’Toole, who was a carpenter, was described as the neighborhood hero because he would help everyone without charging them. Assistant District Attorneys Kim Gonzalez and Michelle Haden prosecuted the case against Amezquita in the 186th District Court. Murder is a first degree felony, punishable by 5 to 99 years or life prison and up to a $10,000.00 fine.