Marvin Palencia Sentenced to 30 Years for Jacobo Vazquez Murder

A judge sentenced Marvin Palencia to 30 years in prison Friday for the 2010 shooting death of Jacobo Vazquez. Palencia will also serve an additional 16 months for one count of tampering with evidence. “It was out of character for Mr. Palencia,” Judge John Ramsey Johnson said. “In many ways he’s a good man who … Read more →

Marvin Palencia Found Guilty of Jacobo Vazquez Murder

Marvin Palencia was found guilty Friday of first-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence and related weapons offenses in connection with the shooting death of 36-year-old Jacobo Vazquez. Jurors in the case delivered their verdict after deliberating for approximately a day and a half. Prosecutors alleged at trial that Palencia planned the murder after learning of … Read more →

Jury Deliberations Begin in Marvin Palencia Murder Trial

On November 11, 2010, Marvin Palencia drank alcohol while sitting in his van, which was in the parking garage of a building in the 100 block of Constitution Avenue Northwest. He had with him in that van a recently purchased gun, which Palencia says he bought to use on himself. Then, Palencia spotted Jacobo Vazquez, … Read more →

“I had intentions of using it against myself,” Marvin Palencia Says About Gun Used to Murder Jacobo Vazquez

Marvin Palencia testified at trial Monday that when he learned explicit sexual details of the relationship between his wife and Jacobo Vasquez from a coworker, he contemplated suicide. His feelings, he said, were “the worst ever, really bad.” And later, when he shot and killed Vazquez, Palencia said, he acted out of panic. Palencia, 35, … Read more →

Defense Attorney: Marvin Palencia Shot and Killed Jacobo Vazquez in Self-Defense

The way prosecutors tell it, Marvin Palencia premeditated the murder of 36-year-old Jacobo Vazquez after learning that his wife and Vazquez were having an affair. But Palencia’s defense attorneys say their client acted in self-defense when he shot Vazquez on November 11, 2010. Jurors heard these arguments Wednesday morning. Palencia, 35, is charged with first-degree … Read more →

Marvin Palencia Pleads Innocent in Shooting Death of Former Co-Worker

Marvin Palencia pleaded innocent this morning to fatally shooting his former co-worker who had been romantically involved with Palencia’s wife. Palencia is charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed, evidence tampering, and weapons charges. Prosecutors allege that Palencia believed he had evidence that Jacobo Vazquez was romantically involved with Palencia’s estranged wife. On Nov. 11, … Read more →

Additional Time to Indict Marvin Palencia After Plea Negotiations Fail

Prosecutors reported today that approximately seven months of plea negotiations with Marvin Palencia have failed and that they are refocusing on securing an indictment in the case. Palencia, 35, is suspected of shooting Jacobo Vazquez, a former co-worker who had been romantically involved with his wife, then wrapping the body in a cardboard box with … Read more →

Plea Deal in the Works for Marvin Palencia

Marvin Palencia’s attorney is currently engaged in plea discussions with prosecutors in a case that alleges he killed a former co-worker over an affair the man was having with Palencia’s wife. In interviews with police Palencia has admitted to shooting 36-year-old Jacobo Vazquez, wrapping his body in plastic wrap and duct tape, placing it in … Read more →

Marvin Palencia to Stand Trial for Death of Former-Coworker

Marvin Palencia, accused of shooting a former co-worker who had been romantically involved with his wife, then wrapping the body in a cardboard box with plastic wrap and duct tape and dumping it alongside a roadway, will stand trial in the case, a D.C. Superior Court ruled Friday. Palencia is next due in court Feb. … Read more →

The Week Ahead

Following are scheduled court appearances for murder cases. This information is current as of Friday, 2 p.m. and will be re-verified throughout the week. Please remember that court dates can change, even at the last minute. To view the docket of a case please go to the D.C. Courts website and search by the defendant’s … Read more →

Man Accused of Killing Former Co-Worker was Upset About a Romantic Affair

Murder defendant Marvin Palencia believed he had evidence that a former co-worker was romantically involved with his estranged wife when he shot and killed the man in the Constitution Avenue office building that they shared, charging documents against Palencia allege. Jacobo Vazquez’ body was found Tuesday Nov. 16 in a box alongside westbound I-70 in … Read more →

Marvin Palencia

Convicted by jury in the Aug. 12, 2011 death of Jacobo Vazquez.