BROWNSVILLE — A San Benito man accused of shooting his wife to death is due to be arraigned today on a murder charge.
Authorities allege Alvaro Mata Jr., 39, shot his wife in the chest in front of their son early on the morning of Nov. 14.
His wife, Jessica Cortina, 36, was a special programs teacher at Wilson Elementary School in Primera.
According to Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio, Cortina ran into her 17-year-old son’s room asking for him to call 911 because his father was going to kill her.
Mata allegedly shot her in front of the son, just as she feared.
She apparently was already dead when officers, responding to a domestic violence call, reached the home, Lucio said at the time.
A Cameron County grand jury indicted Mata on a murder charge on Feb. 14.
Harlingen school district Superintendent Art Cavazos stated on Facebook at the time, “the Wilson Elementary School community and our entire HCISD family are grieving the loss of our beloved Teacher, Ms. Cortina.
“She was an amazing teacher, mother, daughter, sister, and friend,” Cavazos said. “Her handprint is far reaching. Her students and colleagues are walking around with heavy hearts and she will be greatly missed.”
Mata is being held at the Cameron County jail in Olmito with bond set at $10 million.
