The trial for Judge Manuel Barraza has come to a close after he's found guilty of two counts of wire fraud and one count of lying to an FBI agent. Jurors found him not guilty of mail fraud.
Barraza was accused of accepting sex and money in return for judicial favors.
We caught up with several of Barraza's family members before the day started. His father, Manuel Barraza, Sr., was hopeful the jury would find his son innocent...
"Well I hope they listen to everything so that way they can use their own judgement."
But the jury did not see the evidence like he had wished. At 10:30am, Judge Frank Montalvo gave a warning to Barraza's family and friends.
He said, "This is not a park or your living room so please refrain from any emotional response."
Then Montalvo read the verdict. The jury found Barraza guilty on three of four counts. Several of Barraza's family members started to whimper. His daughter ran out of the courtroom and was heard screaming in the hallway. The entire time this was going on, Barraza showed no emotion. Once outside the courtroom, family members were tight-lipped...
"No we don't. No comment at all? No!"
Barraza's attorneys did not say much either...
"It was fair process how it's contemplated in the United States and we can't complain about the process. We may have some complaints in the area of the law. For example? I'm not going to get into that and that'll be something that we bring up in appeals if my client decides to do so. Do you think you should've put Barraza on the stand? Look I'm not going to comment on particulars of the trial."
As for Barraza, he was instructed by Judge Montalvo not to speak about the trial. Barraza even escaped our cameras as we waited for him to emerge from the courthouse.
The former judge will be sentenced April 28.