15 years-to Life for Murder by Throwing Ex-Girlfriend over Balcony

Last Wednesday Eduardo Duarte, 38, was told by the Chula Vista Superior Court Judge that “…you sure made a mess of things. You destroyed a lot of lives and I’m not talking about yours.”

Duarte had been convicted of murder for throwing his ex-girlfriend over an apartment balcony while her 12-year-old daughter witnessed the incident. He was sentenced Wednesday for 15 years to life in prison.

Duarte apologized to Ana Valdez’s friends and family members who were in the court room.

The morning of the murder, Duarte had gone to Valdez’s apartment in Otay Mesa near Via Tonga around 7:00 am on April 11th. He was dropping off their 3-year-old son. He reached her apartment and the two of them argued. Duarte then pushed her to the balcony and picked her up and threw her over.

Duarte said that he killed Valdez, 41, because “he was angry she had a new boyfriend.” Duarte’s attorney said that his client never intended to kill Valdez. He had thrown her off the balcony because he had found his ex-girlfriend in bed with another man and she was “taunting” him.

Valdez’s son, Jesus, 24, tried to read a letter at the trial but became too emotional and handed it over to his girlfriend to read. In the letter he explained his fear that Duarte would come after his family to harm them.

Tags: Defense, murder, San Diego