The jealousy that consumed Erika Sandoval and fueled the murder of her former husband resulted in a 50-years-to-life prison sentence for the Visalia woman.

Sandoval, 38, received the sentence Thursday in Tulare County Superior Court. A jury found her guilty of first-degree murder for the 2015 shooting death of Daniel Green, a former Exeter police officer.

Despite the apparent severity of the sentence, Sandoval could come up for parole after serving 20 years. Under Assembly Bill 3234 passed in 2021, convicts may be eligible for an elder parole hearing upon reaching 50 and having served 20 years for the crime.

Sandoval’s first trial in 2019 ended in a hung jury. Her second trial began on Feb. 6, 2025 — 10 years to the day of the crime.

Related Story: Erika Sandoval Faces Life Sentence for Murder of Former Exeter Police Officer

Sandoval Ambushed Green at His Home

Evidence entered at trial showed Sandoval sneaked into Green’s home in Goshen and disarmed his firearms except for the handgun used in the ambush killing.

After murdering Green in his bathroom, Sandoval attempted to make the homicide look like a robbery gone wrong. She dumped various items along northbound Highway 99, including the murder weapon.

In recorded conversations with family and detectives, Sandoval said that she didn’t want to share custody of her and Green’s son.

Court testimony established a history of jealousy that that included slashing the tires of a former boyfriend, searching Green’s phone, and taking a screenshot of a photo of Green and his new girlfriend the day before the murder. Officers found a sticky note of the woman’s name in Sandoval’s purse during her arrest.

Sandoval also admitted to “cutting wires” on Green’s motorcycle. They were actually brake lines and Green later careened through a red light because the motorcycle’s brakes failed to work, according to trial testimony.

To avoid being falsely accused of domestic violence before his death, Green recorded multiple videos and audio files of verbal and physical abuse by Sandoval.