The Nueces County jury will return Monday morning to continue determining Suarez’s sentence after finding him guilty Thursday
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Sentencing proceedings for 17-year-old Carlos Lee Suarez Jr. were put on hold Friday after jurors deliberated for nearly an hour without reaching a punishment decision.
The Nueces County jury will return Monday morning to continue determining Suarez’s sentence after finding him guilty Thursday on all four charges against him, including attempted capital murder of a peace officer, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a prohibited weapon.
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The case moved into the punishment phase Friday, where jurors heard emotional testimony from both the Corpus Christi police officer prosecutors say Suarez attempted to shoot and several members of Suarez’s family.
The officer took the stand and described the lasting impact of the incident, telling jurors he believed the community would be safer if Suarez remained behind bars.
Suarez’s mother, father, brother and sister also testified, acknowledging that he should face consequences for his actions but urging jurors not to impose the maximum possible sentence.
During closing arguments, defense attorney Mark Gonzalez asked jurors to show mercy, emphasizing Suarez’s age and the challenges he would face in prison.
“I’ve visited prison, I have been to one. I know what it’s like. I’ve seen people brutalized,” Gonzalez told jurors. “You don’t think that this 17-year-old kid that weighs a buck 45 with a haircut like that is going to have an easy time in prison. I’m asking you and begging you for some leniency and some mercy to please send Carlos home as soon as possible.”
Prosecutors argued Suarez has shown no indication that he is willing to change his behavior.
“He is never going to change. He doesn’t want to. He wants to do the same thing he’s been doing, fooling you with a bit of politeness so he can get out and do it again,” Violent Crimes Prosecutor Jonathan Crockett said during closing arguments.
According to prosecutors, Suarez first threatened two juveniles with a handgun in July 2024. Months later, in December 2024, authorities say he attempted to shoot a Corpus Christi police officer during an encounter with law enforcement while trying to avoid arrest.
Prosecutors also alleged Suarez possessed a handgun equipped with a “Glock switch,” a device that allows a firearm to fire automatically.
Because of the seriousness of the allegations, Suarez was certified to stand trial as an adult after being transferred from juvenile court.
Jurors are expected to resume deliberations on Suarez’s punishment Monday morning at the Nueces County Courthouse.