Judge sentenced Selma man who killed romantic rival in a car crash

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A judge decided today there is enough evidence for a murder trial against a Selma man who killed a romantic rival in a car crash.

Fresno County Sheriff's investigators say Saul Mendoza ran over Sigifredo Gomez last July after spotting Gomez with one of his ex-girlfriends.

Prosecutors say the two men already had a beef and Mendoza had threatened violence before, so it was pretty clear he meant to kill Gomez.

"He accelerated his car down the road towards the victim. No effort to stop. No effort to swerve," said Brian Hutchins.

"How was he supposed to know this guy was going to walk into the road with a metal pipe?" said Defense Attorney Angelica Rivera.

The defense admits the case was a hit-and-run.

Mendoza was following Gomez, but Gomez stopped, grabbed a weapon and then walked out in the middle of a dark road.

The defense attorney said there is no evidence Mendoza is a crazy, jealous man.