Texas Court Upheld Death Sentence for Victor Godinez
The state's highest criminal court rejected appeals concerning the 2019 shooting of a DPS trooper.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Criminal Justice
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has upheld the capital murder conviction and death sentence of Victor Godinez. A jury found Godinez guilty in January 2024 for the 2019 shooting of Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Moises Sanchez.
Why it matters
The ruling settles legal challenges regarding the cause of Trooper Sanchez's death. Defense lawyers had argued that complications from medical treatment contributed to the officer's passing, a claim the court ultimately rejected.
The state's highest court finalized the conviction and death sentence for Godinez, who was previously found guilty of capital murder. Additionally, the defendant received a life prison sentence for 2 counts of trying to kill a peace officer.
The players
Victor Godinez
He is the individual convicted of capital murder for the 2019 shooting of a state trooper.
Moises Sanchez
He was a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper who died following a shooting incident.
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
This is the court of last resort for all criminal matters in the state of Texas.
Texas Department of Public Safety
This is the state agency responsible for statewide law enforcement and public safety services.
The details
Evidence presented during the proceedings confirmed that the gunshot wounds sustained by Trooper Moises Sanchez led to his death. The court reviewed and dismissed defense arguments that medical intervention in Houston caused the trooper's demise.
Timeline
April 2019: Victor Godinez shot Texas DPS Trooper Moises Sanchez.
August 2019: Trooper Moises Sanchez died following the shooting.
January 2024: A jury convicted Victor Godinez of capital murder.
October 2026: Texas Court of Criminal Appeals upheld the death sentence.
Legal Context
This case follows a pattern set by the 2019 Texas Department of Public Safety trooper shooting. The court's decision affirms the original conviction linked to this specific incident.
The resolution of this high-profile case concludes years of litigation surrounding a tragic incident involving law enforcement. Residents can expect finality in the legal proceedings as the court has affirmed the lower court's sentencing decision.
The takeaway
The court's dismissal of the defense's medical causation argument underscores the legal weight of original gunshot injuries in capital murder cases. This ruling serves as a final judicial confirmation of the jury's verdict from early 2024.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings in the state, visit the Criminal Justice section.
