ABILENE-- In his first-ever TV interview, Joe Estrada, Jr., talks about everything from his daughter to his new troubles in prison.
But this is the first time we hear Joey say he didn't do it in an exclusive interview at the Robert Unit in Abilene.
In fact, he ispointing the finger at everyone else.
I didn't get a chance to speak up until the trial...then, again, I got shut down because my attorney told me not to take the stand. He said the DA would've chewed me up, Estrada said.
Estrada is now 20 years old. He isdiminutive in stature, but he's a convicted killer.
I fell for a trap, he said. I guess you could say set up.
On April 25, 2008 at 18 years old, Estrada broke into the home of Viola Barrios. He lived right next door.
He killed the 76-year-old founder of Los Barrios Mexican Restaurant with an arrow and set her bedroom on fire. Estrada then went on a spending spree with her credit cards.
But they painted a monster out of me, which is not the real story, Estrada said.
He claims three other people are responsible for the murder and that he simply followed orders.
I never stepped foot in that house, he said. Yeah, I had the keys...I'm stupid enough to take the keys and credit cards...I don't know why I did that.
During the interview, Estrada showed clear signs of distraction.
He recently violated prison rules for having a tattoo gun and not tying his shoes.
Choosing the wrong friends trying to be a follower instead of a leader, that's where I messed up at, he said.
His attorneys have filed an appeal, citing insufficient evidence. The District Attorney's Office said that standard argument usually fails, but Estrada has nothing to lose.
Hopefully my appeal will come by fast if I keep praying more, said Estrada, who added that he has long been a believer.
A month before the murder, Estrada's girlfriend got pregnant. The child is nowtwo years old and reportedly visits her father in prison.
I have a child out there that I'm trying to get back to, he said.
Estrada is serving a life sentence without the possibility for parole.
An attorney for Estrada declined to comment, only to say the appeals process is long and just beginning.
The Barrios family released this statement in response to Estrada choosing to speak out: The citizens of Texas have spoken about the fate of Joe Estrada, Jr., and the citizens of San Antonio continue to honor the legacy of our late mother.
