A former United States Marine who grew to become paralyzed following a bar capturing remains to be ready for his day in courtroom, at the same time as prosecutors mentioned they’re getting ready to take the case to trial.
Jimmy Friesenhahn, a Marine Corps veteran, was shot whereas working safety outdoors El Patio Sports activities Bar in San Antonio, Texas, on Could 4, 2025, based on police and courtroom data. Wilmer Vladimir Ruiz Ortega, the person accused of capturing him, faces felony costs in Bexar County’s one hundred and seventy fifth Prison District Court docket. Nonetheless, no trial date has been posted months later, at the same time as prosecutors mentioned the case stays lively.
Friesenhahn served a number of fight excursions as a Marine and was working non-public safety when the capturing occurred. His accidents left him completely paralyzed, requiring full-time care and ending his means to work. The severity of these accidents, mixed with the time elapsed because the capturing, has sharpened scrutiny on how shortly instances involving catastrophic hurt transfer by way of native courtroom techniques—together with conditions the place victims and households looking for closure face years of authorized complexity.
Comparable delays have surfaced in different high-profile instances involving catastrophic accidents, together with conditions the place households of capturing victims spent years navigating accountability and courtroom proceedings whereas awaiting decision.
Fast Escalation
Friesenhahn was working safety on the entrance to El Patio Sports activities Bar when Ortega allegedly tried to enter the institution whereas armed. Friesenhahn stopped him on the door, which based on regulation enforcement accounts triggered a confrontation outdoors the bar.
The encounter escalated shortly. Ortega opened fireplace, hitting Friesenhahn a number of occasions—together with within the neck. The accidents left the previous Marine paralyzed, abruptly ending his means to work whereas forcing a everlasting change in each day life.
Friesenhahn survived the capturing however now requires full-time care, counting on members of the family for each day help as he waits for the legal case to maneuver ahead.
San Antonio Police responded to the scene and performed the preliminary investigation, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Workplace confirmed, noting that sheriff’s deputies weren’t the investigating company within the case.
The Texas Division of Public Security acknowledged receiving a request for remark however didn’t present case-specific data, indicating the company didn’t play a direct function.
Navy.com reached out for remark to the San Antonio Police Division and Bexar County Sheriff’s Workplace.
Prosecutors ‘Diligently Making ready’ For Trial
The Bexar County District Legal professional’s Workplace mentioned prosecutors have remained in common contact with Friesenhahn and his household all through the case, emphasizing that no offers on Ortega’s behalf have been mentioned or negotiated.
“Right now no plea settlement has been mentioned or provided, and none will likely be thought of with out first consulting Mr. Friesenhahn’s household,” a spokesperson for the Bexar County District Legal professional’s Workplace advised Navy.com. “Our prosecution workforce is diligently getting ready this case for trial. We stay absolutely dedicated to holding the defendant accountable underneath the regulation and to pursuing justice for Jimmy and his family members.”
Prosecutors mentioned they’ve met with the household at a number of phases of the case, together with a house go to, and have walked them by way of how the legal justice course of works, what to anticipate because the case strikes ahead and the way trial scheduling choices are dealt with.
The district lawyer’s workplace mentioned courtroom calendars and listening to dates are set by the choose, not prosecutors, and that as a result of the case stays pending, it couldn’t present further particulars with out risking the integrity and equity of the proceedings.
Household Presses for Trial
Friesenhahn’s household has mentioned they need the case to be heard by a jury fairly than resolved by way of a negotiated plea settlement, arguing that the severity of his accidents and the lasting influence on his life warrant full accountability in open courtroom.
Relations have mentioned Friesenhahn’s paralysis has completely altered his independence, employment and each day routine. A jury trial is the one means they imagine the case may be absolutely examined.
County officers mentioned choices about trial scheduling relaxation with the courtroom, not prosecutors. Requests for up to date filings and potential listening to dates have been directed to the courthouse clerk, the place no trial date has but been posted.
The case stays assigned to Bexar County’s one hundred and seventy fifth Prison District Court docket, the place prosecutors mentioned they’re getting ready for trial. No courtroom date has been publicly posted.
