Acid Attack Finally Goes To Trial

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Sep 23, 2010 3:20PM

It's been two years since the violent acid attack on Esperanza Medina but the trial for those accused will finally get under way with jury selection today and testimony expected to begin next week. The July 2008 attack was, according to prosecutors, the result of love triangle. Prosecutors have alleged Ofelia Garcia masterminded the attack, recruiting three teens to carry out the actual attack, because she believed Medina was dating her ex-husband. The teens involved have since pleaded guilty but Garcia and Maria Olivera-Garcia begin their trial next week, charged with attempted murder and heinous battery. Prosecutors allege Garcia planned the attack and hired the teens while Olivera-Garcia drove the teens to the spot where they attacked Medina. All three teens plan to testify against the pair when the trial gets underway. A third suspect, Linda Dirzo, died late last year. As for Medina, 50, it's been a long, painful recovery but she's hopeful heading into next week's trial. The Tribune caught up with Medina and talked to her about the incident as well as her relationship with Karli Butler, a victim of a similar acid attack years ago.