SAN ANTONIO – A new trial date has been set for a man charged in the death of a 5-year-old girl in 2022.
Jose Ruiz is one of two people charged in the death of Mercedes Losoya. The girl’s mother, Katrina Mendoza, is also charged in the case.
In court on Monday, 187th District Court Judge Stephanie Boyd ordered for jury selection to start in the case on Dec. 12, with testimony to follow.
Ruiz, who is Mendoza‘s boyfriend, is accused of extreme physical abuse of Mercedes in February 2022.
The arrest affidavit stated that the girl had “visible bruises, scratches, cuts and swelling on almost every visible part of her body.”
A trial for Ruiz was expected to begin this month, but the judge allowed one final reset in the case to give the defense more time to prepare.
Mendoza has since agreed to a plea deal in exchange for her testimony against Ruiz, but hasn’t officially been sentenced yet.
If found guilty, Ruiz faces 5 to 99 years or life in prison.