Saiz sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder of Ricky Bernal Jr.

Joseph Saiz shows no emotion when Ricky Bernal Jr.'s family reads him statement after he was sentenced to 40 years in prison for Ricky Bernal Jr.'s murder | Photo by Daniel Elizondo, Pleasanton Express

The shooter accused of killing Ricky Bernal Jr. on Aug. 19, 2023, was sentenced Wednesday to 40 years in prison before District Judge Jennifer Dillingham at the Atascosa County Justice Center in Jourdanton.

Joseph Saiz, 26, pleaded no contest and accepted a plea deal from the state as Judge Dillingham served his sentence in front of Bernal's grieving family.

On Sept. 7, Atascosa County Sheriff's Office investigators arrested and charged Saiz, 26, of northern Atascosa County, with failure to report a crime in connection with the Aug. 19 shooting death. However, after the ASCO investigation, the charge was upgraded to murder.

“I just felt like it was the best way to plead guilty instead of taking the opportunity to go to trial,” said Maria León, Ricky's mother. “I am happy with the result. I just didn't know how to take it when he said “yes” to his plea, because I didn't know if I did the right thing. But justice will be done. »

León said Bernal and Saiz were once friends. She also noted that Bernal offered Saiz a small apartment at the back of their property at a time when he needed a place to stay.

“Do you have any regrets?” Do you even care about the people you hurt? Are you thinking of Ricky? He was your friend,” she said in a statement in front of Saiz as he looked on emotionlessly.

Ricky Bernal Jr. | Courtesy photo, 81st AD

“Do you see his face? I can't think of Ricky without thinking of you,” she continued. “You are forever linked because of what you did. I have often thought about forgiveness. How could I? You have left my baby – my first born – my first love The reason they called me mom You left him there, bleeding and dying.

“He was loving, forgiving and willing to help you. But you, Joseph, are a monster who destroyed my life and my family.

Bernal was found shot to death in the front yard of his apartment by ACSO off Big Leaf Road near the Bexar County line.

According to testimony from family members, Bernal's grandmother found him bleeding and called her daughter León.

“I was depressed to have to find him like this,” said Bernal’s grandmother, Romanita Urdiales. “When I close my eyes at night, I can still see this image in my head.”

Saiz showed no emotion toward the Bernal family as Urdiales and León read their statements in court.

“Your actions changed my life forever,” León said during his statement. “You don’t know how many times I begged God for this to be unreal. My life is a daily struggle, knowing that my baby will never come home.

“You took my Ricky’s life while you still live and breathe. My Ricky is still 22 when you cut his life short. I tried so hard to understand. Why did you decide to use weapons to kill my son? Did you know or care? He left behind a seven-year-old son. He now has to grow up without a father. Do you know how hard it is for me to see him and my grandson thinking that he's going to come back one day? But it's not because of your choices.

“I know God says we should forgive, but I’m just not there. I have no pity for you. You just don't know what you did to me physically, mentally and emotionally. Because of your decisions, I had to see my son lying there, covered in a bag, lifeless.

“No parent should have to bury their child. You really got me through the darkest time of my life. Let justice be served for my baby Ricky Bernal Jr.”

Another defendant remains in jail in connection with the murder, according to Sheriff David Soward.

Atascosa County sheriff's investigators arrested Cason Cash Raymond, 18, of Jourdanton on Sept. 19 in San Antonio and charged him with murder stemming from the shooting death of Bernal.

“We sympathize with the family of Ricky Bernal Jr. and are pleased that justice has been served in this case,” Sheriff Soward said. “Our lead investigator, Stephen Wilson, did an outstanding job along with the other members of the investigative team to help bring closure to this case.”

The lead prosecutor in this case was Asst. DA Ryan Wright of the 81st DA's office.

“Today is a day for justice in our county,” Wright said. “The pain that Joseph Saiz has inflicted on Ricky Bernal’s family is unimaginable. We hope this sentence can help bring healing to his family. Thank you to the dedication and hard work of the Atascosa County Sheriff's Office from the day of the crime to tracking the defendant across multiple counties to solve this case. Saiz's crime is the manifestation of evil. Our community is safer with him behind bars.

León said she and her family will continue to find a resolution to the case for now while they await Raymond's trial.

“I don’t have a lot of information about the other (accused),” she said. “So for now, I'm just going to try to ease my mind and soul knowing that at least we have the one who pulled the trigger behind bars.”