A jury found Jesse Gladney guilty of murder. He killed his girlfriend, Valarie Garcia. He shot her inside a car in 2024. Last week, a judge gave him his sentence. Gladney will spend the rest of his life in prison. He will never get out on parole.

Gladney is 38 years old. He lived in Adams County, Colorado. Garcia was 36. She was a mom to five kids. The jury found Gladney guilty on July 24. They convicted him of first degree murder. That is the most serious murder charge. It means the killing was not an accident.

This case is a warning about domestic violence. Many victims stay with a partner even after threats and fights. Garcia's family says she tried to leave Gladney. But she kept going back. Cases like this happen across the country, not just in Colorado.

Police say the trouble started at a motel. Officers went to the Super 8 Motel in Westminster on June 8, 2024. Someone had called about a fight. Witnesses said they saw a man yelling at a woman. He forced her into a car. The car then drove off.

A short time later, police got another call. Someone said a woman had been shot inside a car. This happened near 120th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard in Thornton. Garcia died at the hospital.

The man who drove the car talked to police. He said Gladney had asked him for a ride. Gladney went inside the motel. He came back out with Garcia. He was acting angry and mean, the driver said.

During the drive, Gladney argued with Garcia. He went through her purse. He told her he would shoot her. Then he pulled out a gun. He turned toward her and fired one shot, the driver told police.

Court records show Gladney had a long history of trouble with the law. He had past convictions for stalking, domestic violence, and tampering with a witness. He also had past charges for harassment and assault. He had a protection order against him from earlier that same month. Garcia had even helped bail him out of jail the week before she died, her family said. He had just been arrested near her family's home on gun charges.

A jury heard the case during a trial that lasted a week. They found Gladney guilty on all charges. He now faces life behind bars with no chance of parole.

17th Judicial District Attorney Brian Mason spoke after the sentencing. "This was a brutal and senseless killing," Mason said in a release. "While we cannot bring her back, I am glad we could deliver some amount justice for Valarie Garcia."

Garcia's mother and sister spoke out after her death in 2024. They said Gladney had controlled her and watched her every move. Her mother said she begged Garcia to stay away from him. Garcia would not listen. Family members said she seemed afraid of him near the end.

Garcia left behind five children. They ranged in age from 6 to 19 at the time of her death. Her family said she was a loving mom who wanted to leave Gladney but could not find a way out.

The case is now closed. Gladney has been sentenced and will not get parole. But Garcia's family says the pain is not over. They still miss her every day. Her sister said she wishes she could have done more to protect her.

Domestic violence cases like this one happen often across the country. Warning signs are often there before the worst happens. Threats, jealousy, and control can be red flags in a relationship. Friends and family can help by speaking up early.

If you or someone you know is in a violent relationship, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline. The number is 1-800-799-7233. Help is free and it is there day and night.