A former Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy cadet who was recently sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison for the murder of her boyfriend faces a wrongful death lawsuit from the decedent’s parents.
Galveston residents Sylvia Chapa-Sendejas and Richard I. Revilla sued Claudia Esquivel on March 24 in the Galveston County 122nd District Court, stating that she fatally shot 27-year-old Christopher Chapa in the back of the head on June 16, 2014.
According to court papers, Esquivel and Chapa were involved in a verbal altercation prior to the subject event. The suit says that Esquivel’s mother called 911 to report a domestic disturbance between the couple.
“The 911 call made by Claudia Esquivel’s mother did not reference the fact that Christopher Chapa had been shot in the head by Claudia Esquivel, defendant,” the original petition says.
It further explains that Galveston police found Chapa “still alive, with one gunshot wound to the head.” Chapa then was transported to the nearby University of Texas Medical Branch where he was pronounced dead.
Esquivel was later arrested at her mother’s residence and charged with the aforementioned murder.
A local jury convicted the respondent in early March.
Chapa’s parents fault Esquivel for failing to immediately report the shooting to law enforcement, as well as neglected to seek immediate medical attention for Chapa.
Consequently, the complainants seek unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
They are represented by attorneys Gary E. Patterson and Megan Minchew Evetts of the law firm Gary E Patterson PC in Houston.
Galveston County 122nd District Court Case No. 16-CV-356