Punishment phase continues in Perdomo trial

TYLER — The punishment phase is underway after 28-year-old Kristian Perdomo was found guilty of murder following just 40 minutes of jury deliberations. According to our news partner KETK, court staff expects the punishment phase to last until this coming Wednesday. The trial began Tuesday morning in a 2018 shooting at Tyler’s Westwood Shopping Center. Police believed Perdomo was connected to four other fatal shootings in Smith County. Perdomo was arrested after authorities said they believed the shooting was gang-related. Law enforcement claimed at the time that Perdomo was suspected of being the gunman in five fatal shootings in less than two weeks. However, more than three years later, he still has only been charged with one count of murder.