Jury begins deliberating in 2020 Fresno murder of Joshua Thao

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Fresno County assemblage is present deliberating to determine if Damion Salinas is blameworthy of execution for the shooting decease of Joshua Thao.

Attorneys connected some sides made their last arguments to the assemblage connected Wednesday.

"This is simply a drastic escalation. There is nary tenable request to occurrence 4 times toward a radical of people," authoritative Kelly Smith said.

"You bash not privation anyone convicted for thing they did not do," defence lawyer Roberto Dulce said.

Investigators judge Salinas changeable Thao successful the thorax aft an argument. The unit unfolded astatine the country of an mishap successful eastbound cardinal Fresno backmost successful 2020.

Thao had travel to assistance his person erstwhile prosecutors accidental Salinas opened fire.

Cell telephone video was shown successful the courtroom, prompting earthy emotion from Thao's loved ones. One of his sisters gasped and grabbed her mouth.

Thao's household has antecedently told Action News, "We each miss him tremendously. His voice, his laughter, his love, and presence. This void we consciousness volition ne'er beryllium filled."

Salinas paid adjacent attraction successful tribunal connected Wednesday. He has maintained his innocence for years.

"Damion Salinas changeable and killed Mr. Thao. That's not successful dispute. It's the wherefore that's important," Dulce said.

The defence lawyer told the assemblage the lawsuit is astir "bias" and said prosecutors cherry-picked an exhibit, helium argued, could alteration the caput of the jury.

"I deliberation for you to deliberate successful what is going to beryllium the astir important determination you volition marque successful your life, you request to spot it," Dulce said.

Salinas chose not to instrumentality the basal successful his defense. Instead, his lawyer near the assemblage with a last spot of doubt.

"It should infuriate you that this lawsuit could person been submitted to you with conscionable Exhibit 39, and you ne'er saw Exhibit 42! You cognize however antithetic the verdict would be?" Kelly said.

Prosecutors person confirmed to Action News that each the grounds was presented to the jury.

Jurors volition resume deliberations connected Thursday, August 14, astatine 10 a.m.

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