Six men have been indicted for the murder of a Rio Hondo teacher in April. (Cameron County Jail photos)
By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
Sonia Perez
Six men allegedly involved in the murder of former Rio Hondo teacher Sonia Perez were indicted on Wednesday.
“On July 6, all six men were indicted on capital murder charges,” said Alexis Clynes, Special Products Coordinator for the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office. “We don’t have any type of further information. We don’t know what type of penalty we’re going to seek, if we’re going for the death penalty or life. We can’t say that yet because we’re waiting to speak and have a meeting with the District Attorney (Armando) Villalobos. “
All six men have remained in custody since their arrests in the month of April.
Forty-one year-old Julio Cesar Perez, the victim’s husband and a Pentecostal pastor at a church outside San Benito, was arrested for allegedly hiring five men to murder his wife, 2008 San Benito CISD Teacher of the Year Sonia Perez. Nineteen-year-old Gabriel Apolinar Escalante, 21-year-old Daniel Castaneda, 23-year-old Mark Daniel Garza, 37-year-old Daniel Flores Lopez, and 39-year-old Alfredo Castaneda have all been arrested in connection with the murder and are included in the indictments.
To see this story in print, pick up a copy of the July 10 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.
1 comment
Each of these accused deserves his day in court. There are obviously several levels of involvement, and each is presumed not guilting until and unless guilt has been established beyond any reasonable doubt. Still, Sonia’s blood cries out for justice. let us not forget that there are children involved–a teenager and a pre-teen, both girls, both innocent, both with lives that have been profoundly adversely affected. Our thoughts go out to them, as well as their fine Pentecostal congregation. May they have peace through this.