It was a New Year’s day celebration in 2014 — that ended with 32-year old Brian Santos — stabbed to death.
Now, 25-year old Jessica Wills (left), and 24-year old Jacqueline Benavides Wills (right), will stand trial for the murder of their fellow army National Guard soldier.
The women, who are married, were arrested shortly after Santos was found dead, but they claim they killed Santos in self-defense.
The women say their fellow soldier was drunk and started hitting his girlfriend, who was also a guard member.
A preliminary hearing for the pair began Thursday, and continued Friday in Downtown Fresno.
Judge Houry Sanderson said it was “cold and calculated,” that it was not self defense and she said the court concludes that Jacqueline Benevides Wills was “guilty of the crime.”
Judge Sanderson said there is probable cause to think that Jacqueline Benevides Wills committed 1st degree murder and Jessica Wills committed 2nd degree murder.
The two women will be arraigned on the murder charge on September 3rd in Judge Sanderson’s courtroom.
Jessica Wills’ lawyer, Michael Aed, said the decision was disappointing but not surprising.
If convicted, Wills and Benavides-Wills, who have no prior criminal record, face a potential sentence of life in prison.
