Jury selection is set to kick off Tuesday in the murder trial of a San Antonio man accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend’s father in a North Side parking lot. Franco Xavier Summers, 31, is charged with murder in the 2024 killing of 43-year-old Christopher Fuentes near Blanco Road and Loop 1604. The case is on the docket in the 226th District Court, where jurors and opening statements are scheduled for 8:30 a.m.
Case Heads To Trial Tuesday
The trial date follows prosecutors’ formal filing of the murder charge against Summers in Fuentes’ death, according to News4SanAntonio. Court records reviewed by the station show the case was assigned to the 226th District Court, with jury selection and opening statements both slated for Tuesday morning.
Long Criminal History, Earlier Murder Allegation
Summers’ name is not new to local law enforcement. He has a lengthy criminal history that includes a January 2012 arrest on a charge of harboring a runaway and a January 2013 case in which he was charged with aggravated assault and murder, a case that was later dismissed, as detailed by KSAT. The outlet also reports that Summers was involved in a 2019 standoff that ended with prison time on related charges.
What Investigators Say About The Shooting
Investigators say surveillance footage and witness accounts place Summers at the scene of the November 2024 shooting outside a Taco Palenque on Blanco Road, according to reporting by MySA. The video reportedly shows a vehicle pulling up beside Fuentes and his daughter, followed by a struggle and then gunfire. Prosecutors allege Fuentes was shot multiple times and later died from his injuries, and witnesses later identified Summers to police.
Family Seeks Justice
Fuentes’ relatives have been a steady presence in court, publicly calling for a harsh punishment if Summers is convicted. One cousin told reporters, “He should serve life in prison without the possibility of parole,” a sentiment reported by News4SanAntonio. Family members have said they fear earlier dismissed cases left Summers free in the years leading up to the 2024 killing.
Next Steps In Court
Jury selection is expected to begin Tuesday morning, with opening statements to follow once a panel is seated. The 226th District Court will then hear testimony and legal arguments as prosecutors push for a conviction and the defense challenges the state’s case. Local reporting indicates jurors will hear not only about the 2024 shooting but also about Summers’ previous encounters with the justice system as they evaluate the evidence, as noted by KSAT.
