A teenage stalker-murder suspect blew a kiss in a Texas courtroom as a judge raised bail to $2 million for the murder of a 16-year-old girl's stepfather.
Christian Martinez pursed his lips as he faced the bleachers in a Houston courtroom in his first court appearance since the Aug. 10 shooting death of Osvaldo Casas.
The 17-year-old is accused of fatally shooting Casas, 37, when he confronted the boy outside his home in the Meadowbrook/Allendale neighborhood, 11 miles southwest of downtown Houston, police said. There is.
The husband and father of two went outside just before 12:30 a.m. after a neighbor reported a suspicious car on the road.
The family had been on high alert after their car was vandalized the night before. According to the People's Democratic Republic of Korea.
Mr. Casas was shot multiple times when he confronted the vehicle.
He died outdoors in the arms of his wife, who was eight months pregnant. Reported by KHOU.
Mr. Martinez was arrested on October 17 by the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Violent Offender Task Force.
He was charged with first-degree murder and booked into the Harris County Jail, police said.
“I know an arrest won't bring him back, but I'm glad he was arrested,” said Judith Molina, Casas' wife.
Martinez is said to have had a brief relationship with Casas' stepdaughter, but the relationship ended after Casas assaulted and “unlawfully restrained” her.
A probable cause court judge read the indictment against Martinez last week, even though he was not present.
“The allegation is that the 17-year-old defendant briefly dated the 16-year-old daughter of the prosecution witness,” the judge said. According to KHOU. “The daughter stopped seeing the defendant after the defendant assaulted her and unlawfully restrained her. The defendant called her repeatedly until the daughter blocked the defendant's phone number.”
Molina denied that her daughter ever dated Martinez.
“He was angry that she didn't want to date him. She didn't want anything to do with him,” Molina said. “So he was stalking her and stalking our house for days. I didn't know that.”
“I hope he gets what he deserves. Life in prison. He lost his life. He should spend the rest of his life in prison. He shouldn't be let out.” he said.
The couple's son was born a few days after Casa's funeral.
Casa's grieving family said they are “not at peace” but have confidence in the judge.
“I don't feel safe, but I believe the judge will make the right decision. … He is guilty,” Casas' mother said.
The judge increased his bail from the original $200,000 to $2 million before Mr. Martinez made a lewd gesture in court.
Martinez and Casas' families were also in the courtroom.
It was not clear who the air kiss was aimed at.
