2015-11-12 Ponce

Capital Murder – Abdon Ponce Jr. Double Homicide Case

Abdon Ponce Jr., 38, of Perryton, Texas, was indicted on charges of capital murder in the stabbing deaths of Ada Ponce, 58 (56 in some reports), and Fernando Cornejo (full name: Fernando Noel Chavarria Cornejo), 34, both of Booker, Texas. The deaths occurred in November 2015 in Lipscomb and Hansford counties.^[1]

Victims

• Ada Ponce, 58 (56 in some reports), of Booker
• Fernando Noel Chavarria Cornejo, 34, of Booker

Incident

Ada Ponce and Cornejo were found stabbed to death on November 13, 2015. The indictment alleges Ponce committed the offense on November 12, 2015.^[2]

Indictment

Abdon Ponce's case was brought before a grand jury on Wednesday in 31st District Court, court records show, and enough justification was found to make a formal accusation of capital murder of multiple persons.

The charge of capital murder requires the district attorney's office to prove that the two homicides were committed during the "same scheme or course of conduct" according to the Texas Penal Code. The minimum punishment is life imprisonment, and the maximum punishment is death.^[3]

Manhunt and Arrest

Abdon Ponce was the target of a wide-ranging manhunt after the victims were found stabbed to death. Sunray schools were on modified lockdown on November 13 during the manhunt.

Ponce was arrested on November 14 after a manhunt by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and the sheriff's offices in Hansford and Hutchinson counties.

Ponce is now accused of two Lipscomb County murders and was in custody in the Hutchinson County Jail.

Criminal History

Ponce has previously been convicted of multiple offenses, including:

• Terroristic threat
• Burglary
• Theft
• Assault of a family member causing bodily injury
• Interfering with an emergency request for assistance

Case Status

Four calls and messages to the 31st District Attorney's Office in Lipscomb County, starting from 8 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m., went unanswered by press time.

The case was published on November 18, 2015, with updates throughout the day.

Jurisdiction

The case involves multiple counties:

• Lipscomb County (where the capital murder warrant was obtained)
• Hansford County
• Hutchinson County (where Ponce was held in custody)

The 31st District Court in Lipscomb County handled the grand jury proceedings.