Juan Mata sentenced for murder of mother Maria Elias in Fresno County, CA as family says they'll 'erase' him from lives

FRESNO, Calif. — Buttons with the picture of Maria Elias filled a California courtroom Tuesday as family members packed in to remember her.

“She died at the hands of someone she loved,” prosecutor Kaitlin Drake read aloud from a letter written by Elias’ daughter, Sylvia.

As Sylvia sat with her family members, they all wore white in the Fresno County courtroom.

Just feet away, family member Juan Mata was sitting in a red jumpsuit.

“The actions towards my family and me are unforgivable. May 18, 2020, was the day she died, a day that forever changed us,” Sylvia expressed in her correspondence.

Prosecutors say Mata turned on his mother and killed her. The woman’s home was the site of a brutal scene.

Investigators say a blade was still inside her, and a power cord was wrapped around her neck when they arrived.

“I believe no one should die the way she did,” Sylvia wrote.

Mata denied the murder charge against him for nearly five years.

He first pleaded not guilty and then later not guilty by reason of insanity.

But after a mental health evaluation, his case went to trial in February.

Two days in, he pleaded no contest, agreeing not to fight the charge any longer.

“Mr. Mata, the court sentenced you to a term of 15 years to life for the murder of your mother,” Judge Brian Alvarez declared, ultimately extending the sentence by an additional six years, leading to a total of 21 years to life for Mata.

It was part of an agreement with prosecutors.

“I wish for him to spend the rest of his days in prison plagued by the memory of his actions against the one person who genuinely loved him,” Sylvia penned.

“After today, we will erase the idea of you ever being in our lives.”

For news updates, follow Gabe Ferris on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Copyright © 2025 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like
Elon goes nuclear on 'insane spending bill' with new pledge that could threaten Trump's Republican majority

Elon Musk strongly opposes ‘reckless spending proposal’ with a new promise that might endanger Trump’s GOP control

 Ex-Trump ally billionaire Elon Musk’s latest promise could throw a major wrench into…
Chances of cyclone forming off US coast INCREASE as hurricane trackers issue warning to 39m Americans

Probability of a cyclone developing near the United States coast rises as hurricane monitors caution 39 million Americans.

The threat of a tropical cyclone hammering multiple Southeast states during the Fourth…
‘The Bear’s Liza Colón-Zayas (And Tina) Deserved Better From Season 4

Liza Colón-Zayas And Tina Deserved Better Treatment in Season 4 of The Bear

I lost track of how many times I thought about the phrase,…
Federal funding still frozen for Northwestern University medical research; school has not heard from Trump administration

Northwestern University medical research continues to face federal funding freeze; no communication from Trump administration

EVANSTON, Ill. (WLS) — Frozen without any warning or explanation: That’s what…
On Met Gala's eve, the People's Ball struts in the spotlight

The People’s Ball shines before the Met Gala

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, Brooklyn — It’s became a yearly tradition, and 2025 did…
Lululemon's shock lawsuit against Costco for selling alleged 'dupes' BACKFIRES

Lululemon’s unexpected legal action against Costco for selling suspected imitations results in a negative outcome.

Lululemon’s latest lawsuit might be creating more hype for its competition than…
Senate churns through overnight session as Republicans seek support for Trump's big bill

“Republicans Rally Support Through Overnight Senate Session for Major Trump Legislation”

The Senate is currently in the midst of a tense overnight session…
Disney-Pixar's 'Elio' Was Originally Going to Be a 'Queer-Coded' Character Before Leadership Stepped In

Original Plan for Disney-Pixar’s Character ‘Elio’ Changed Due to Leadership Decision

New information reveals that the lead character in Disney/Pixar’s latest movie “Elio”…
Military-trained dad accused of killing daughters nears 3 weeks living in wilderness amid manhunt

Authorities struggle to find survivalist father as search intensifies: Emotions running high

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The search for the…
North Korean IT workers infiltrated Fortune 500 companies in massive fraud scheme

North Korean Tech Employees Penetrated Fortune 500 Firms in Major Fraud Operation

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Federal authorities have uncovered…
‘Dancing With The Stars’ Adds ‘Mormon Wives’ Stars Whitney Leavitt And Jen Affleck To Season 34

Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck from ‘Mormon Wives’ Join Season 34 of ‘Dancing With The Stars’

Two Mormon women who were featured in the show “Secret Lives of…
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker selects Christian Mitchell as running mats for 3rd term bid

JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois, Chooses Christian Mitchell as Running Mate for Re-election Campaign

CHICAGO (WLS) — Governor JB Pritzker has announced Christian Mitchell will be…