Erika Sandoval (KFSN).
A woman who unlawfully entered her ex-husband’s residence, seized two of his firearms, and fatally shot him upon his return, has been found guilty in her retrial for first-degree murder.
Though prosecutors in Tulare County, California, stated that the jury on Thursday determined that Erika Sandoval, 38, was not waiting to ambush her ex-spouse, Exeter police officer Daniel Green, making her ineligible for the death sentence during the June 5 sentencing. The jury did agree on a special allegation, concluding she deliberately discharged a firearm, resulting in severe bodily harm.
She is facing a life sentence in prison.
Green’s remains were discovered in his Goshen residence after he failed to appear for his shift on Feb. 6, 2015, the Vasalia Times Delta reported. His body was enveloped in a shower curtain and had been shot four times, including a shot to the head.
Surveillance video allegedly captured Sandoval arriving at Green’s home shortly before he did, and leaving about an hour later.
“10 years is a long time,” Green’s family said in a statement, obtained by television station KSEE. “It feels like certain parts of our life have been on hold. It feels like we can move forward in many ways.”
I am in Porterville Court for the trial of Erika Sandoval. She admitted to killing her ex-husband Exeter Police Officer Daniel Green. The question is, was it 1st Degree premeditated murder, 2nd Degree, or Manslaughter? @CBS47 pic.twitter.com/hIBi8YM0PS
— Mederios Babb (@mederiosbabb) April 28, 2025
The defense argued that Sandoval suffered abuse before the shooting, and she was acting in self-defense, presenting several alleged incidents where they claim Green was abusive. Green was never formally charged in those alleged attacks.
Prosecutors said that in reality, Sandoval was just jealous of Green’s new relationship after the defendant had previously taunted him that “no one is ever going to want you.”
Days before he was killed, the victim posted a photo with his new girlfriend. That woman’s name and birthdate were found on a note in Sandoval’s purse, prosecutors reportedly said.
The first trial, in 2019, ended in a hung jury after one juror refused to convict. A juror from the second trial, who spoke to KSEE and did not want to be named, said they were able to figure it out after reviewing the confessions.
“It was honestly very difficult because there was so much to look into there was so much to go over and review, but I think what actually closed it for us was, we went back through her confessions and actually looking at it and being able clearly hear it opposed to hearing it in the courtroom made a difference,” this person reportedly said.
