Felix Alonzo sentenced for 2019 aggravated robbery, death of his own step-grandfather

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - After two hours and 45 minutes of deliberation, Felix Alonzo has been sentenced to 20 years in prison following five days of testimony.

Testimony started last week as a Lubbock jury in the 364th court under Judge William Eichman III considered how to punish a man who robbed his own step-grandfather at gunpoint. The victim, 67-year-old Larry Fawver, died in that robbery.

Prosecutors say Felix Alonzo conspired with four other people and someone shot Fawver. Alonzo, who was 19 at the time of the attack, pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony.

Day 1

The state focused on what happened prior to the robbery, arguing that Alonzo and the group responsible thoroughly planned the crime. The state presented evidence that was found in Alonzo’s car after the incident. That evidence included ski masks, gloves, all-black clothing, zip ties, duct tape, multiple guns, and a notebook. That notebook contained dollar amounts, the list of items that were located in the defendant’s car, the victim’s address, and a sketch of the victim’s residence.

The defense stated to the jury that Felix Alonzo had a plan but did not intend to hurt his step-grandfather and that the state can not prove that the handwriting in the notebook is his client’s.

Day 2

It was an emotional day in the courtroom, as Fawver’s widow took the stand. She described the night of the robbery as something that you only see in a movie. She said she saw her husband being beaten by four men wearing masks and holding guns.

She says her husband, Fawver, told her to run, and one of the co-defendants began chasing after her. She said she heard a gunshot and believed the men were shooting at her. However, we now know that the gunshot was the one that killed Larry Fawver.

Fawver’s widow testified that her grandson, the defendant, would tell others that his grandparents were rich and that Fawver had cash stashed away in their home, cash that only family members knew about.

The state presented evidence including the defendant’s cell phone records that place Alonzo near the victim’s home before and after the robbery. Those records also showed photos of Alonzo and the others posing with a stack of cash after the robbery.

There has been little cross-examination from the defense at this time, the defense has stated consistently to every witness that the defendant has pleaded guilty to the crime and has taken responsibility for his actions.

Day 3

As the trial resumed on Friday, the jury heard testimony from the medical examiner in this case. She shared photos of the victim’s body, and some of the jurors turned away as the photos were shown. Those photos were not shared with the gallery out of respect for Fawver’s family, however, the medical examiner describe the photos stating that Fawver’s aorta was ripped apart by the gunshot he sustained in the robbery.

Prosecutors then called a Lubbock Police Officer who works in the forensic unit, she testified that when she arrived on the scene she located multiple pieces of evidence. Some of that evidence included bolt cutters, a pair of boots, and a gun.

The jury then heard from the forensic scientist who performed DNA analysis on that evidence, he testifies that the bolt cutters and the gun had the defendant’s DNA on them.

During cross-examination, the defense shared photos that were taken from the body cam footage of one of the officers that responded to the scene. Those photos show the officer handling the firearm without gloves on, arguing that the evidence was mishandled and that the state can not prove how or when his client’s DNA transferred to the firearm.

Day 4

The prosecution presented an audio recording as evidence against Felix Alonzo, the recorder was in the defendant’s pocket prior to the robbery. The recording portrayed Alonzo practicing telling someone to put their hands up, you then hear him talk about a ski mask, asking the other co-defendants if they can recognize him while he was wearing the mask. The state claims it proves Alonzo was calling the shots that day and thoroughly planned to rob Larry Fawver at gunpoint.

The jury then watched surveillance footage from a nearby home that showed the defendant and others walking toward the victim, Mr. Fawver’s home. As that footage was being shown the defendant showed emotion for the first time since the trial began. Alonzo became visibly uncomfortable, he began rocking back and forth in his chair and breathing heavily, so much so that the judge, the opposing council, and his defense attorney asked him if he was okay.

The state then rested its case.

The defense then called Alonzo’s pastor, who stated that the defendant has given his life to God, and is no longer a threat to society.

Court has recessed for the day, we will hear more from the defense tomorrow. We will continue our coverage then.

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