Witness takes the stand in Sioux City murder trial

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)– The trial of a man accused of first-degree murder of a man back in September of last year continued Thursday in the Woodbury County Courthouse.

Prosecutors called witness Gregorio Leon to take the stand. He claims he invited the suspect, Mario Corona Ruiz, and a woman to his apartment to use meth.

Leon testified that the defendant asked him to drive his pick-up while he drove another vehicle, an SUV, back to his house. As the two vehicles were about to turn onto Center Street, Leon said, Corona Ruiz rolled down the car window and shot Michael Schwebach.

During the trial, prosecutors asked Leon to identify the driver of the SUV.

“So you saw the defendant driving the vehicle? “

“Yeah, I seen him get in the car driving. Yeah,” Leon said.

“And you saw the driver shoot the gun that morning?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you see the driver here in the court this morning?”

“Yes.”

“Can you identify this person by what he’s wearing for me, for the jury?”

“He’s wearing a blue shirt.”

The trial continues Friday. If he’s found guilty, Mario Corona Ruiz faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison.

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