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Erika Sandoval (KFSN).
A woman who broke into her ex-husband’s home, grabbed two of his guns, and shot him after he returned home, has been convicted in her second trial for first-degree murder.
Prosecutors in Tulare County, California, however, said that jurors on Thursday did not find that defendant Erika Sandoval, 38, was lying in wait for her former spouse, Exeter police officer Daniel Green, so she is ineligible for the death penalty in the sentencing scheduled for June 5. The jury found a special allegation that she personally and intentionally fired a gun, causing great bodily injury.
She is facing a life sentence in prison.
Green’s body was found in his Goshen home when he failed to report for duty on Feb. 6, 2015, the Vasalia Times Delta reported. He was wrapped in a shower curtain and shot four times, including once in the head.
Surveillance video allegedly captured Sandoval arriving at Green’s home shortly before he did, and leaving about an hour later.
“10 years is a long time,” Green’s family said in a statement, obtained by television station KSEE. “It feels like certain parts of our life have been on hold. It feels like we can move forward in many ways.”
I am in Porterville Court for the trial of Erika Sandoval. She admitted to killing her ex-husband Exeter Police Officer Daniel Green. The question is, was it 1st Degree premeditated murder, 2nd Degree, or Manslaughter? @CBS47 pic.twitter.com/hIBi8YM0PS
— Mederios Babb (@mederiosbabb) April 28, 2025
The defense argued that Sandoval suffered abuse before the shooting, and she was acting in self-defense, presenting several alleged incidents where they claim Green was abusive. Green was never formally charged in those alleged attacks.
Prosecutors said that in reality, Sandoval was just jealous of Green’s new relationship after the defendant had previously taunted him that “no one is ever going to want you.”
Days before he was killed, the victim posted a photo with his new girlfriend. That woman’s name and birthdate were found on a note in Sandoval’s purse, prosecutors reportedly said.
The first trial, in 2019, ended in a hung jury after one juror refused to convict. A juror from the second trial, who spoke to KSEE and did not want to be named, said they were able to figure it out after reviewing the confessions.
“It was honestly very difficult because there was so much to look into there was so much to go over and review, but I think what actually closed it for us was, we went back through her confessions and actually looking at it and being able clearly hear it opposed to hearing it in the courtroom made a difference,” this person reportedly said.
