A San Diego man accused of intentionally running over his ex-wife had apparently been jealous of her new boyfriend and wanted to reconcile with her, prosecutors said.
Cesar Castillo, 37, appeared before a San Diego County judge Thursday to plead not guilty to charges of murder and violating a restraining order. He was ordered to be held on no bail.
A new no-contact order was imposed barring Castillo from contacting his three daughters, his estranged wife's parents and his ex-wife's new boyfriend.
Prosecutors said Castillo was jealous of his ex wife's new boyfriend -- whom she planned to marry -- and promised to harm him.
"We have information or evidence that he was hoping to reconcile with the victim," said Deputy District Attorney Christy Bowles.
Just before 7 p.m. Nov. 28, witnesses told police they heard screaming before seeing a white pickup truck hit a woman in Chula Vista. The driver then circled back and struck her again, Chula Vista police said.
Police said Leonor Castillo died at the scene from head and internal injuries.
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Leonor had planned to meet with her ex-husband to help him buy Christmas gifts for their three young daughters. She had violated the restraining order imposed against Castillo because she thought the gifts would make her children happy, prosecutors said.
Meanwhile, her daughters were at their grandparents’ house, waiting for Leonor to come home so they could decorate the Christmas tree.
Witnesses said Leonor somehow got out of the truck in the 1100 block of Elm Avenue when she was hit in a home’s front yard.
Police said Castillo fled to Mexico, but surrendered to authorities three days later at the U.S.-Mexico border. He apparently tried to pick up his children before fleeing, prosecutors said.
