Jury selection is underway in Federal Court in San Antonio for two alleged Mexican Mafia members who are charged in the murder of Balcones Hts. Police Officer Julian Pesina, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Alfredo Cardona and Jesse Santibanez are charged with shooting Pesina to death in front of the tattoo shop he operated at Hillcrest and Babcock in May of 2014.
Federal investigators say the tattoo shop was a front for a drug selling operation, which Pesina also ran in addition to his job as a police officer.
But what got Pesnia killed, prosecutors claim, is the fact that he claimed to be a member of the Mexican Mafia, and even had Mexican Mafia tattoos.
That's what prompted the gang to order Pesina murdered.
The trial is expected to last for two weeks, and is expected to shine light on the operations of the Mexican Mafia, which is believed to be the largest criminal gang operating in metro San Antonio.