Jesus Vasquez has been indicted for murder charges by a grand jury in the 365th District Court. Vasquez, who has been incarcerated since February 7th, 2023, is accused of murdering 24-year-old Evelyn Guardado back in January. The indictment means that the legal proceedings against Vasquez may now move forward in a court of law.

Guardado had been missing since January 31st, and her body was found at a ranch area near Quemado, Texas. Vasquez was arrested soon after her body was discovered and was given a bond of $1,000,000. He requested a bond reduction but was denied by 365th District Judge Amado Abascal on February 24th, 2023.

Authorities are now waiting for the final results of an autopsy, which is in the hands of the Webb County Coroners Office, before the proceedings into the murder of Guardado can begin moving forward.

The grand jury’s decision is a critical step in the criminal process. Unlike a criminal jury, the grand jury does not determine if a person is guilty of a crime. Instead, a prosecutor works with a grand jury to determine whether to bring criminal charges or an indictment against a potential defendant. This is usually reserved for serious felonies.

Under both Texas and federal law, a grand jury of regular citizens is the only body that can issue a felony criminal indictment. In this case, Vasquez was indicted for murder by a grand jury, meaning that the case against him will now be heard in a court of law.

The indictment and subsequent legal proceedings will bring some measure of closure to the family and friends of Evelyn Guardado, who have undoubtedly been waiting for justice to be served. It will be up to the courts to determine whether Vasquez is guilty of the charges against him, but the indictment is an important first step in the process.