MADERA - On July 14th of last year, Julio Garay changed the lives of so many people when he took the life of his estranged wife. This week aA Madera County jury has convicted Julio Garay of first-degree murder after he shot Calley Jean Garay to death in front of their three young children.

The jury found that he was lying in wait for his estranged wife at her doctor’s appointment. This special circumstance means he could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Sentencing is scheduled for November 17, 2021, in Department 22 of the Madera Superior Court.

He was also convicted of assault with a deadly weapon against the driver of the Victim Services van that was used to transport the victim to her appointment and three counts of felony child abuse related to how close the children were to their mother when he murdered her.

The children are in the custody of the Madera County Department of Social Services who will continue to monitor them and provide any needed services. Madera County District Attorney Sally Moreno stated in a press release she would like to extend its deepest condolences to Calley’s family and friends. It is hoped that the defendant’s guilty verdict will bring some measure of closure for the people who knew and loved her best.

There is a 5k walk in Calley’s honor this Saturday in Chowchilla to end Domestic Violence and acknowledge Calley’s courage in deciding to leave for the sake of protecting herself and her children.