The judge in the 187th Judicial District read the jury charge and legal definitions in the aggravated‑assault case against Johnny De La Rosa and sent jurors to begin deliberations. The written instruction explained the elements of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, the definitions of "deadly weapon" and "serious bodily injury," and the statutory boundaries of self‑defense, provocation and when deadly force may be justified.

During closing presentations, the state argued the evidence and video exhibits show the defendant pursued and cornered the complainant, creating a context the prosecutor said undercuts the defendant's claim of self‑defense and supports the indictment. Defense counsel told jurors the videos and witness testimony show the complainant had a pocketknife, that the defendant did not display a firearm until after he was stabbed and pushed to the ground, and urged jurors to apply the court's instructions to find reasonable doubt.

The court told jurors they would select a presiding juror and begin deliberations in the jury room; deputies escorted the panel for deliberation. No verdict was recorded in the transcript provided. The judge repeatedly instructed jurors they must follow the law in the written charge and not consider extraneous matters while deliberating.

Why it matters: The case turns on the narrow legal distinctions summarized in the jury charge — in particular whether jurors believe the defendant provoked an encounter that gave him a pretext to use deadly force or whether he reasonably believed deadly force was necessary to defend himself.

What’s next: The jury will deliberate and either return a verdict, request further instruction from the court, or be unable to reach a unanimous decision, in which case the court will address next steps according to Texas procedure.