The man who fatally shot “King of the Hill” actor Jonathan Joss outside his San Antonio home was acting in self-defense, according to his attorney.
Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 56, had numerous neighborhood disputes with Joss and his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, over the past two years, according to police.
“People in Texas have a right not to be a victim. You have a right to self-defense,” defense attorney Nico LaHood told local ABC affiliate KSAT. “You have a right to the defense of third persons legally and under the law, and we believe that applies here.”
LaHood also insisted the crime was not motivated by Joss’ sexual orientation, as his husband has repeatedly claimed. The attorney told local Telemundo affiliate KVDA that Alvarez has a brother who’s gay and who he supports.
Gonzales claimed in a Facebook post that Alvarez was “yelling violent homophobic slurs” at the couple before fatally shooting Joss. He described Alvarez as “openly homophobic” and said he harassed the two on a regular basis.
“This accusation of a hate crime is completely antithetical to his character,” LaHood told KSAT. “This has nothing to do with sexual orientation. This has to do with a very long time of torment in that neighborhood.”
Alvarez fatally shot Joss on June 1 during an apparent argument at the home, according to investigators. A video allegedly taken moments before the fatal confrontation showed Joss holding a pitchfork outside his residence.
Joss, 59, was best known for his voice acting role on “King of the Hill” and for multiple appearances on “Parks and Recreation.”
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