Today, justice has come for Ricky Bernal Jr. (pictured) and his family. On August the 19th, 2023, Bernal’s grandmother heard a single gunshot come from outside. She went outside to find Bernal lying on the front porch. She had just seen him about 15 minutes prior. Bernal died from a single gunshot wound. Though there were no suspects on scene, the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office began their investigation. Investigators reviewed surveillance video that captured the murder from a distance. Reviewing phone forensic evidence led the investigators to Joseph Saiz, an acquaintance of Bernal. Investigators began their hunt for Saiz which lead them to the Comal County Jail. Saiz made incriminating statements during his interview but also tried to distance himself from the murder. During the investigation, another witness was located which confirmed that Saiz was the one who killed Bernal. After consulting with our office, the Sheriff’s Office obtained arrest warrants for the defendant.
Today, Saiz pled to 40 years in prison. He will have to serve half of the time, 20 years, before he is eligible for parole. Saiz killed Ricky in cold blood, cowardly fled the scene, and left his son without a father. Saiz deserves nothing less than the full 40 years of punishment he agreed to serve.
Sgt. Inv. Stephen Wilson, Captain Max Peralta, and other investigators with the Atascosa County Sheriff's Office did an excellent job in their relentless pursuit of this criminal. I am grateful for the dedication and hard work of Assistant DAs Ryan Wright and Erica Price for ensuring justice for Ricky Bernal, Jr. and his heartbroken family he was taken from too soon.
