Alfonso Cabanas of Cabañas Law Firm led the defense in a closely watched San Antonio murder trial that ended with a not-guilty verdict.
A Bexar County jury found Daniel Gonzalez, 37, not guilty in the 2024 killing of Donnell “Donnie” Sterling, 52, following nearly nine hours of deliberations.
The verdict came after a trial in State District Judge Frank Castro's courtroom that centered on conflicting testimony, circumstantial evidence, and questions about the investigation.
For Alfonso Cabanas, the case presented a fundamental question: could the prosecution prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Daniel Gonzalez was responsible for Sterling's death?
After hearing the evidence, the jury answered no.
Alfonso Cabanas Leads the Defense
San Antonio criminal defense attorney Alfonso Cabanas represented Daniel Gonzalez throughout the murder trial.
Cabanas challenged the prosecution's case from the beginning, arguing that the evidence did not establish Gonzalez's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Rather than simply accepting the State's theory of the case, Cabanas focused the jury's attention on the weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence.
His defense highlighted:
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Inconsistencies in key witness testimony
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Questions surrounding the credibility of the prosecution's primary witness
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The circumstantial nature of the evidence
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Concerns regarding the police investigation
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The absence of evidence directly establishing that Gonzalez committed the killing
Cabanas also challenged testimony from Crystal Delarosa, Gonzalez's former girlfriend and a key prosecution witness. Delarosa acknowledged that she had previously given investigators information that was not truthful and later provided a different account of what happened.
The Case Involving Donnell “Donnie” Sterling
Donnell “Donnie” Sterling was found dead inside his apartment at the Victoria Plaza Apartments in downtown San Antonio in October 2024.
According to testimony reported during the trial, Sterling had been seen several days before his body was discovered.
Prosecutors alleged that Gonzalez was responsible for Sterling's death and presented DNA and other evidence that they argued connected Gonzalez to Sterling's apartment.
The defense, however, disputed the prosecution's interpretation of the evidence and maintained that Gonzalez was not responsible for Sterling's death.
Why Witness Credibility Mattered
One of the most important issues at trial was the testimony of Crystal Delarosa.
Delarosa was a central witness for the prosecution. But during cross-examination, Alfonso Cabanas questioned the reliability of her account, including inconsistencies between her earlier statements and her testimony at trial.
Cabanas also raised questions about Delarosa's criminal history and an agreement involving prosecutors.
For the defense, these issues were important because a criminal conviction requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
The defense argued that the jury should carefully examine whether the prosecution's evidence was sufficiently reliable to meet that standard.
The Jury's Verdict
The jury deliberated for approximately nine hours over two days.
After initially indicating that they were unable to reach a verdict, the jurors continued deliberations before ultimately finding Daniel Gonzalez not guilty.
The verdict brought the murder prosecution to an end.
Following the verdict, Alfonso Cabanas said Gonzalez was relieved by the jury's decision and expressed sympathy for Sterling's family while maintaining that the verdict represented justice in the case.
What This Case Shows About Criminal Defense
The Daniel Gonzalez case illustrates an important principle of the American criminal justice system:
An accusation is not a conviction.
In a serious criminal case, the prosecution carries the burden of proving every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.
That means a criminal defense attorney must examine every part of the prosecution's case—from physical evidence and forensic evidence to witness statements and the investigative process.
In this case, Alfonso Cabanas and the defense team challenged the State's evidence and asked the jury to carefully consider whether the prosecution had actually met its burden of proof.
The jury ultimately determined that it had not.
Experienced San Antonio Criminal Defense Representation
Cases involving allegations of murder and other serious felony offenses can have life-changing consequences.
An experienced San Antonio criminal defense attorney can examine the evidence, investigate the circumstances surrounding an arrest or accusation, challenge unreliable testimony, and protect a defendant's constitutional rights throughout the criminal process.
Alfonso Cabanas and the Cabañas Law Firm represent clients facing serious criminal allegations in San Antonio and throughout Bexar County.
The Gonzalez verdict demonstrates why a strong defense matters: prosecutors must prove their case, and defense attorneys have the responsibility to hold the State to that burden.
Facing a Serious Criminal Charge in San Antonio?
If you or a family member is facing a serious criminal accusation in San Antonio or Bexar County, having experienced criminal defense counsel can make an important difference.
Contact Cabañas Law Firm to discuss your case and learn about your legal options.
This blog post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
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