San Jose

Slain Woman's Family Struggles as Killer's Sentenced is Delayed

A judge on Friday delayed the sentencing of a man who murdered a mother of three two years ago in San Jose, and the victim’s family is crushed – emotionally and financially.

Now others are stepping up to help.

Teresa Maravilla, 28, was stabbed to death in her East San Jose apartment in May 2014 by her cousin, 22-year-old Gabriel Alejo Maravilla, who pleaded guilty to the crime. He was scheduled to be sentenced Friday, but the judge said the family will have to wait at least two more weeks for closure.

In the meantime, the victim’s husband, Baltazar Alejo, has been struggling the past two years as a single father, trying to raise three young daughters on a gardener’s wages. Retired San Jose police Officer Darrell Cortez, through his Shop With a Cop Foundation, has been helping the family financially.

“That’s part of our mission, to give back and support,” Cortez said, “especially when children are involved in this horrific incident.”

When asked how he’s endured the past two years, Alejo said he’s relied on miracles. For months, he hadn’t told his daughters how their mother died. But just days ago, he explained to them the circumstances of her death, hoping they would finally see justice. It was a difficult conversation, Alejo said, filled with hugs and tears.

Now they must wait longer.

“The family really is in crisis mode,” Cortez said.

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