Man found guilty in 2022 killing that began with speeding in South Valley neighborhood

Jurors on Thursday convicted Joseph Gonzales in a 2022 shooting death that began with a dispute over speeding in a South Valley neighborhood.

Jurors deliberated less than an hour before finding Gonzales, 46, guilty of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 35-year-old Abner Antillon during an argument outside Gonzales’ home in the 1600 block of Val Verde SW, near Isleta and Blake.

Gonzales faces up to 20 years in prison. His sentencing hearing before state District Judge David Murphy has not been scheduled.

A jury last year acquitted Gonzales of first-degree murder in Antillon’s killing but failed to reach a verdict on a lesser charge of second-degree murder.

Jurors this week viewed video and audio from a neighbor’s security camera that captured much of the fatal encounter.

Shortly before he was killed, Antillon was driving a vintage red International Scout when Gonzales shouted “slow down,” the video showed. Antillon put the vehicle in reverse and stopped in front of Gonzales’ residence, initiating an argument between the two men.

Prosecutors told jurors that Gonzales drew a handgun from a holster and fired a single shot into the ground, followed quickly by three gunshots at Antillon as he retreated toward his vehicle.

Gonzales’ attorney, Marcus Cameron, told jurors Monday that Gonzales acted in self-defense when he fired the four gunshots.

Assistant District Attorney Emilie Edmonds told jurors that Gonzales fatally shot the unarmed Antillon in the back as he was retreating to his vehicle.

Antillon’s killing on Aug. 29, 2022, came only a month after Gonzales testified in the July 2022 trial of his brother, Fabian Gonzales, in the death of 10-year-old Victoria Martens.

A judge sentenced Fabian Gonzales in October 2022 to 37½ years in prison after a jury found him guilty of child abuse resulting in death, seven counts of tampering with evidence and conspiracy.