HOUSTON – More than three years after 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez was shot and killed while sitting in the backseat of her family’s truck on Valentine’s Day 2022, her father took the witness stand on the first day of the trial for the man accused of killing her, Tony Earls Jr.

Arlene’s father, Armando Alvarez, was the first family witness called Wednesday. As he entered the courtroom, the gallery fell silent.

He told the judge before taking the stand, “I’m good. I’m ready to go.”

P REVIOUS: Arlene Alvarez’s family seeks justice as trial begins more than 3 years after her death

He described in heart-wrenching detail how his daughter had just handed him a Valentine’s Day gift when he got home from work that evening. Hours later, she was killed as their family drove past a Chase Ban

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