Trial for husband accused of killing Fort Sill soldier continued

DUNCAN — The trial scheduled to begin this week for the accused of killing his wife, a Fort Sill soldier, in July 2022 has been continued by agreement of the prosecution and defense.

Mario Mota, 36, of El Paso, Texas, was scheduled to begin trial this week in Stephens County District Court for a count of first-degree murder, deliberate intent, records indicate. On Wednesday, District Judge Brent G. Russell order the continuation.

Mario Mota, an Army Drill Sergeant who had been stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, is accused of choking or strangling his wife, Army Sgt. 1st Class Laura Mota, 33, to death during an incident July 25, 2022. She was found by a fellow cadre member dead at the base of her off-post home stairs at 205 North N. Street in Duncan after she failed to report to duty, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Laura Mota had told her husband in March 2022 of her desire to separate following almost eight years together. He would travel back and forth from his posting at El Paso, Texas, to see their children and attempt to repair their marriage, the affidavit states. Several text messages included in the court paperwork offered insight into the separation effect on him with claims of depression and suicidal ideation. He also expressed anger and threats to ruin her career.

Investigators learned Mario Mota had been at the home for several weeks but left to return to El Paso around 5 a.m. the day of his wife’s death. At that time, she was under investigation by the Army for having an affair with another married soldier at Fort Sill, the affidavit states.

Mario Mota spoke with Duncan police and said he didn’t know what happened to his estranged wife. He said when she’d come home shortly after midnight the morning of July 25, 2022, she smelled of alcohol. Investigators said he never asked the detective what had happened to Laura Mota.

The State Medical Examiner’s autopsy report stated there was no alcohol in Laura Mota’s system at the time of death, according to the affidavit.

Mario Mota has been held on $5 million bond since his initial court appearance March 13, 2023.