A San Antonio woman, entangled in a case of retaliation stemming from a fatal dog attack, saw her bond tripled to $75,000 as she appeared in court yesterday. Destiny Marie Cardona, sister to one of the dog owners involved in the horrific mauling that led to the death of 81-year-old Ramon Najera, is accused of threatening a witness who provided information to police and media, as FOX San Antonio reported.
Cardona, also slapped with a separate charge of Injury to a Child, now faces tightened bond conditions, including GPS tracking and a strict no-contact order with anyone under the age of 18, apart from the increased financial burden. The modifications were imposed amidst the looming menace of community retribution. "We are going to kill your son, bring him to you, find you, and kill you," Cardona allegedly told the victim, as noted in the arrest affidavit and reported by News 4 San Antonio.
Residents of the Southwest side community where the attack occurred continue to deal with threats and intimidation. Alleged reprisals range from egged houses to more sinister verbal threats. One neighbor, Belinda Rodriguez, asserts she reported the house – from where the vicious dogs originated – multiple times before the tragic incident, and is now on the receiving end of similar bullying tactics, "Egging of the house, toilet paper, fireworks, name calling..." Rodriguez detailed her experiences in an interview obtained by News 4 San Antonio.
The unsettling wave of intimidation has drawn attention of the San Antonio Police Department, which stressed a zero-tolerance policy for threats or vandalism. "SAPD does not tolerate threats or vandalism. We have received a report for vandalism and are investigating," a department spokesperson stated, urging residents to diligently report concerning behavior. Meanwhile, attorney Robert Jimenez highlighted the gravity of retaliation offenses, punishable by two to ten years as third-degree felonies, in a statement obtained by FOX San Antonio.
Laws protecting those who report such incidents are currently under legislative scrutiny, aiming to make the reporting process more private to prevent future cases of retaliation. As the community remains tense, neighbors like Rodriguez anxiously await resolution, unsure of what may unfold if the accused are released from custody. "I don't know when these people are gonna come out, or what's gonna happen," Rodriguez confided, in a sentiment of palpable fear that seems to encapsulate the mood of those impacted by the case.
