San Antonio Jury Shown Graphic Photos in Retrial of Man Accused of Killing Beloved H-E-B Employee"

A Case Revived After Nearly a Decade

Nearly ten years after the brutal killing of Paula Boyd, a cherished H-E-B employee affectionately known as “Paulita,” the man accused of her death is once again standing trial in San Antonio. R.C. Curtis, whose first trial ended in a mistrial in 2021, now faces a jury charged with capital murder.

The 75-year-old Boyd was discovered dead inside her San Antonio apartment on October 21, 2015. Concerned coworkers had requested a welfare check after she failed to appear for work.

Prosecution Outlines the Allegations

Prosecutors allege that Curtis, who at the time was married to Boyd’s granddaughter and had known Boyd since childhood, killed her and later used her stolen credit and debit cards.

In opening statements, jurors heard about Boyd’s reputation in her community and at the H-E-B store located at De Zavala and Interstate 10. Known as “everybody’s grandmother,” she was a familiar, warm presence to customers and even nearby firefighters, who remembered her fondly.

Jury Shown Graphic Crime Scene Photos

During testimony, jurors were presented with graphic crime scene photos. The images showed Boyd lying unclothed near her bed with blood visible on her face.

The medical examiner, Dr. William McClain, testified that Boyd suffered blunt force injuries to her eyes, cheeks, lip, and chin. Marks around her neck indicated strangulation, and the injuries were so severe they fractured vertebrae behind her neck. He also confirmed defensive wounds on her hands, suggesting she tried to fight off her attacker.

Defense Argues Lack of Direct Evidence

The defense, led by attorney Charles Bunk, challenged the state’s case, arguing that there is no direct evidence connecting Curtis to the murder. Instead, they suggested that other men could have been responsible.

They highlighted the involvement of David Rocha, who admitted to using Boyd’s stolen credit cards and received two years of probation. The defense also raised concerns about how the crime scene was handled, questioning whether items had been moved and pointing to the medical examiner’s team repositioning pillows under Boyd during the initial examination.

When cross-examining Dr. McClain, the defense asked if Boyd’s injuries could suggest multiple attackers. McClain acknowledged that it was possible. On the subject of sexual assault, however, McClain confirmed there were no signs present.

Testimony From the Victim’s Family

Boyd’s daughter, Brenda Boyd Perez, took the stand and explained she shared a joint bank account with her mother to help manage finances. The day after her mother’s death, Perez discovered unusual account activity in a part of town her mother never visited, raising additional questions about the use of Boyd’s stolen cards.

What Comes Next

The trial is expected to continue throughout the week, with testimony scheduled from more than a dozen witnesses, including one of the men who used Boyd’s stolen credit cards.

If Curtis is convicted, he will face an automatic life sentence without the possibility of parole. Testimony is set to resume on Tuesday morning.