On January 28, 2015 a jury convicted Jose Manuel Garcia-Guevara of Aggravated Burglary, Aggravated Rape and Second Degree Murder.
Garcia-Guevara was convicted of killing 26-year-old Wanda Barton in February 2008. Garcia-Guevara, a neighbor of the victim, entered her home through a window before raping and stabbing Barton multiple times. The incident occurred in Jesse James Trailer Park in south Lake Charles. Following the murder, Garcia-Guevara took a bus to Dallas and then fled to Mexico.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations placed him on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives” list in June of 2013. Garcia-Guevara surrendered just months later.
Judge David Ritchie set sentencing for February 20, 2015.
Detective Mark Clark investigated the case for the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant District Attorney Rick Bryant prosecuted the case for the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office with the help of Assistant District Attorney Ross Murray.