Trial begins for man accused of killing ex-girlfriend's mom

HURON, Calif. (KFSN) -- Andrew Leon appeared calm successful tribunal Monday, occasionally taking notes arsenic witnesses recalled the nighttime helium changeable and killed 37-year-old April Diaz.

"While lasting successful beforehand of the Huron constabulary section I heard aggregate gunshots nearby," erstwhile Huron Police Officer Brandon Bottoms described from that night. "Approximately 10 to fifteen."

That shooting-- conscionable days aft Thanksgiving successful 2023-- killed Diaz extracurricular her flat successful Huron.

Leon was dating Diaz's daughter, Neveah, who claims they were arguing that day.

Action News was not allowed to amusement immoderate witnesses' faces successful court.

"He continued to stroke up my telephone with messages and missed calls threatening maine that helium would amusement up to my apartment," Neveah explained.

She says she past broke up with him.

Leon besides known arsenic "AJ" showed up to her flat arsenic she and a friend, Galilea, were asleep.

"I perceive banging connected the doorway and April comes successful the country trying to aftermath up Neveah," Galilea recalled. "She had travel successful 1 past clip and told Neveah that AJ had pulled a weapon connected her and she walked backmost out."

Galilea said she heard gunshots soon after.

"What did you spot from the window?" Deputy District Attorney, Kendall Reynolds questioned Galilea.

"April laying connected the street," she responded successful tears.

Leon's attorney, Brendan Bergh, claiming helium acted retired of self-defense.

"She gets close up to Andrew and she grabs his escaped limb and past she strikes,' Bergh said. "When Andrew looked down, it wasn't a fist that helium saw, but the shiny alloy of a knife."

Bergh saying Leon feared for his life.

"He does the lone happening his assemblage tin archer him to do, which is get escaped and sprout and helium does," Bergh stated.

Leon past drove away.

"He turns himself successful and they apprehension him arsenic tears watercourse down his face," Bergh said.

Leon is facing a execution complaint for this death. If convicted, helium could look 50 years to beingness down bars.