--- title: "Garza v. Jones: $11M Jury Verdict in Fresno Wrongful Death" meta: "og:description": "Jury awarded $11 million to the parents of Justin Garza in a wrongful death lawsuit against Randy Jones following a fatal 2019 shooting over a debt dispute." "og:title": "Garza v. Jones: $11M Jury Verdict in Fresno Wrongful Death" description: "Jury awarded $11 million to the parents of Justin Garza in a wrongful death lawsuit against Randy Jones following a fatal 2019 shooting over a debt dispute." --- February 5, 2026 # **Garza v. Jones: $11M Jury Verdict in Fresno Wrongful Death** Jury awarded $11 million to the parents of Justin Garza in a wrongful death lawsuit against Randy Jones following a fatal 2019 shooting over a debt dispute. [**Personal Injury**](https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/garza-v-jones-11m-jury-verdict-in-fresno-wrongful-death/jury-verdict/category/personal-injury) [**Wrongful Death**](https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/garza-v-jones-11m-jury-verdict-in-fresno-wrongful-death/jury-verdict/category/wrongful-death) ### **Outline** Author ![](https://media.jurimatic.com/cdn-cgi/image/q=70/profile_images/shared_image_1.webp) **Sohini Chakraborty****Sohini Chakraborty is a lawyer, with over two years of experience in legal research and analysis. She specializes in working closely with expert witnesses, offering critical support in preparing legal research and detailed case studies.** ![Article Image](https://media.jurimatic.com/cdn-cgi/image/q=70/images/Joseph_Garza.webp) The legal battle began following a violent encounter on March 2, 2019, that claimed the life of Justin Garza. His parents, Joseph and Sarah Garza, initiated a civil lawsuit against Randy Kutchuwah Windwalker Jones in the Superior Court of California, County of Fresno. The litigation sought to hold Jones accountable for the fatal shooting of their son during a dispute over a debt in a Motel 6 parking lot. Despite defense arguments claiming comparative fault, a Fresno jury reached a unanimous decision on April 10, 2025, finding Jones liable. The Court awarded the Plaintiffs a total of $11 million in compensatory damages for the past and future loss of their son's love, companionship, and moral support. ## **Case Background** The legal battle began following a violent encounter on March 2, 2019, that claimed the life of Justin Garza. His parents, Joseph and Sarah Garza, initiated a civil lawsuit against Randy Kutchuwah Windwalker Jones in the Superior Court of California, County of Fresno. The litigation sought to hold Jones accountable for the fatal shooting of their son during a dispute over a debt. ### **Cause** The conflict reached a breaking point in the parking lot of a Motel 6 on the 4000 block of Blackstone in Fresno. Justin Garza stood outside his Toyota Camry when Jones arrived at the location in a taxi. The two men engaged in a discussion regarding a debt Jones owed for escort services. Following this exchange, Jones retrieved a firearm from the taxi and approached Garza. He then fired multiple rounds, striking Garza several times. ### **Injury** The shooting inflicted catastrophic physical damage on Justin Garza. He succumbed to his injuries on the same day as the attack. Beyond the physical death of the decedent, the incident caused profound emotional distress and psychological trauma to his parents. They suffered from grief, sorrow, and mental anguish as a direct result of the loss of their son. ### **Damages Sought** The Garza family requested compensation for a wide range of losses through their legal complaint. They pursued general damages for their pain and suffering, as well as special damages to cover specific financial burdens. These special damages included funeral and burial expenses, the costs of medical care provided to Justin before his death, and the loss of financial support he would have provided. Furthermore, because they alleged that Jones acted with malice and intent, they requested punitive and exemplary damages intended to punish the Defendant and deter similar conduct in the future. ## **Key Arguments and Proceedings** The formal legal proceedings commenced on February 22, 2022, when the Plaintiffs filed their initial complaint. The case moved through the Fresno County Superior Court system for over three years before reaching a jury trial in April 2025. ### **Legal Representation** **Plaintiff(s):** Joseph Garza (individually and as successor-in-interest to the Estate of Justin Garza) and Sarah Garza. · **Counsel for Plaintiff(s):** Thomas J. Johnston | Brian F. Needelman **Defendant(s):** Randy Kutchuwah Windwalker Jones. · **Counsel for Defendant(s):** Gregory S. Mason ## **Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel** The legal teams presented two vastly different versions of the events and the resulting liability. ### **Claims** The Plaintiffs centered their case on two primary legal theories: battery and wrongful death. Counsel for the Garzas argued that Jones intentionally and unlawfully shot Justin without his consent. They contended that Jones owed a duty to act as a reasonably careful person but breached that duty when he operated a loaded weapon in a negligent and reckless manner. The Plaintiffs' attorneys emphasized that the shooting was a willful and malicious act, which directly resulted in the loss of love, companionship, and guidance for the parents. ### **Defense** The defense team filed a formal answer on October 4, 2022, denying every allegation of negligence or wrongdoing. Attorney Gregory S. Mason raised several affirmative defenses to shield Jones from liability. First, the defense argued that the complaint failed to state facts sufficient to support a cause of action. More significantly, the defense claimed that Justin Garza himself failed to exercise ordinary care to avoid the accident, suggesting that his own actions contributed to the fatal outcome. They also asserted that any injuries resulted from the acts of third parties or entities other than Jones. Finally, the defense argued that if any liability existed, it should be limited only to the percentage of fault specifically attributable to Jones, and they noted that the statute of limitations might bar the action. ## **Jury Verdict** After a trial that began on April 8, 2025, the jury reached a unanimous decision two days later. The jurors rejected the defense's arguments regarding comparative fault and third-party liability, finding instead that the Plaintiffs deserved substantial compensation for their loss. **Sarah Garza's Recovery** The jury evaluated the specific impact of the death on Justin’s mother. They awarded her $2.5 million for the past loss of her son’s love, companionship, comfort, and moral support. To account for the future years, she would spend without her son, the jury awarded an additional $3 million, bringing her total recovery to $5.5 million. **Joseph Garza's Recovery** The jury found that the impact on Justin’s father was equally profound. They mirrored the award given to the mother, granting Joseph $2.5 million for the companionship and affection he had lost since the date of the shooting. They also designated $3 million for his future loss of support and society. The final verdict, signed by Presiding Juror De Marra on April 10, 2025, totaled $11 million in compensatory damages. This award addressed the non-economic damages suffered by the parents but did not include a specific breakdown for the medical or funeral expenses originally sought in the complaint. The Court filed the verdict on the same day, marking a significant conclusion to the family's multi-year pursuit of civil justice. **Court Documents** [Complaint](https://exlitem.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/ContentMarketing/IQCwXhSDRJ9qQKIGyORnPXrQATZ1be1Cgp4eUPhuiSUhpnc?e=E90IDf) [Jury Verdict](https://exlitem.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/ContentMarketing/IQB2ruS7qoamTrbRMLYr3egZAaCEodZSQpZ_e4LsARyEWZs?e=HGmR3t) [Share with Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/garza-v-jones-11m-jury-verdict-in-fresno-wrongful-death) [Share with X](https://x.com/intent/post?url=https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/garza-v-jones-11m-jury-verdict-in-fresno-wrongful-death&text=x) [Share with LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/garza-v-jones-11m-jury-verdict-in-fresno-wrongful-death) [Share with Email](https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/garza-v-jones-11m-jury-verdict-in-fresno-wrongful-death/mailto:?body=https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/garza-v-jones-11m-jury-verdict-in-fresno-wrongful-death&subject=email) [Share with WhatsApp](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/garza-v-jones-11m-jury-verdict-in-fresno-wrongful-death%20whatsapp) ### **Find your next Expert Witness today** ![Sanjay Adhia](https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/garza-v-jones-11m-jury-verdict-in-fresno-wrongful-death/_ipx/q_80/user-default.svg) ###### **Sanjay Adhia** Forensic Psychiastry ![George Reis](https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/garza-v-jones-11m-jury-verdict-in-fresno-wrongful-death/_ipx/q_80/user-default.svg) ###### **George Reis** Forensic Imaging ![Maria Babinetz](https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/garza-v-jones-11m-jury-verdict-in-fresno-wrongful-death/_ipx/q_80/user-default.svg) ###### **Maria Babinetz** Vocational Rehabilitation Find and retain experts without brokerage or upcharge. ### Looking for more? 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