EDINBURG — The jury on Wednesday afternoon found a 23-year-old Alamo man guilty of killing a 19-year-old Donna man in 2020 following approximately 4 1/2 hours of deliberations.

Carlos Julian Contreras has been on trial since Sept. 15 for the fatal shooting of Genaro Isaiah “Izzy” Castillo on Jan. 14, 2020 near Donna Lake. He has pleaded not guilty and claims 21-year-old Jorge Veliz forced him to shoot Castillo.

The jury did not buy the claim.

Veliz, who has not been charged, has testified that Contreras forced him at gunpoint to aid in the killing of Castillo.

Following the verdict, Contreras showed no emotion and turned and nodded at his family.

Contreras, who had been free on bond, was taken into custody after the verdict was announced.

On Wednesday morning, the state and defense m

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