Testimony ends in Kennewick murder trial

Testimony wrapped up Monday morning in the trial of a 20-year-old man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend on Christmas Eve in Kennewick.

Francisco J. Munoz Quintero is charged in Benton County Superior Court with second-degree murder with a gun.

The charge includes the aggravating circumstances that when he killed Luisa A. Garcia Farias, it involved domestic violence and had a destructive and foreseeable impact on others.

Garcia Farias, 21, lived in Pasco and had a 22-month-old daughter with Munoz Quintero. She ended their relationship last summer, but Munoz Quintero reportedly tried to rekindle the relationship.

She was giving Munoz Quintero a ride from Mabton to Kennewick late on Dec. 24 when he shot her twice inside the car. Their toddler was in the backseat at the time but was not hurt.

Munoz Quintero claimed Farias Garcia grabbed for the gun and it accidentally went off. Defense attorneys said their client’s actions were reckless, but not intentional.

The trial started May 16.

Prosecutors rested Monday after calling their final witnesses. The defense did not call any witnesses.

Closing arguments are scheduled for 9 a.m. May 24 at the Benton County Justice Center.

This story was originally published May 23, 2016 at 2:18 PM with the headline "Testimony ends in Kennewick murder trial."