Alleged killers of Clovis teacher agree to plead guilty to second-degree murder

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Key Takeaways
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• Misty Rose Gomez and Antonio Garcia Gomez agreed to plead guilty.
• The plea deal cut exposure from first-degree murder and longer prison terms.
• Police found the couple in Mexico and returned them to Fresno for charges.

One day after a 12-year-old girl testified about her mother and stepfather’s involvement in the killing of a Clovis teacher, the couple agreed to plead guilty to second-degree murder.

Misty Rose Gomez, 32, and her husband, Antonio Garcia Gomez, 40, were facing first-degree murder charges for the killing of Geoffrey Bernardi, a technical education teacher for the Clovis Unified School District.

Had they been found guilty by a jury on all charges, Misty Gomez could have been sentenced to 50 years to life, while her husband faced 51 years to life.

Under the plea agreement, Misty Gomez faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life and her husband 16 years to life. They have also waived their rights to appeal.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 4.

Bernardi, 37, was found near a canal at Barstow and Peach avenues on Dec. 18, beaten beyond recognition with a blunt object. He died two days later in a hospital.

Misty Gomez was dating the Clovis teacher for several months after meeting him on a dating app. He did not know she was married, his mother testified Monday during their preliminary hearing.

Clovis police said Misty Gomez denied any involvement in the death, nor was she aware who killed him. She told detectives that Bernardi’s attacker was a homeless person dressed in all black clothing.

Detectives found the black clothing discarded in the canal and later connected them to Antonio Gomez. Detectives obtained a photo where the defendant was wearing the same clothes.

Why Bernardi was killed is still unclear. During Monday’s testimony, it was revealed that Misty Gomez had borrowed money from Bernardi and he was angry she had not repaid it.

Also uncovered during the preliminary hearing was why the family moved from Dinuba to Mexico during the investigation.

In emotional testimony, Misty Gomez’s 12-year-old daughter said her mother confessed to her that she and Antonio were responsible for Bernardi’s death, and they had to leave the U.S. to avoid arrest.

The Gomezes were found in Mexico by law enforcement and returned to Fresno to face charges.

Samantha Dukes, senior deputy district attorney, prosecuted the case. Defense attorneys are Emily Takao for Misty Gomez, and Brendan Bergh for Antonio Gomez.

This story was originally published November 3, 2026 at 2:00 PM.