This week, Bexar County Grand Juries handed down more than 260 felony indictments.
“As these 24 citizens conclude their service over these last two months, I want to acknowledge the vital role they play in the criminal justice system. They reviewed evidence and issued true bills of indictment in 2,042 cases. Each of those cases are now awaiting trial in the Criminal District Courts along with the cases indicted by previous Grand Juries,” said Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales.
Abdi Ali Shidad is charged with capital murder of multiple persons. The indictment alleges that on Feb. 13, 2021, Shidad intentionally and knowingly caused the death of Anastasia Simms by shooting her with a deadly weapon (firearm) and did intentionally and knowingly cause the death of another individual, Leah Anders, by shooting Anders with a deadly weapon (firearm), and both murders were committed during the same transaction. A second count of the same indictment alleges Shidad used and exhibited a deadly weapon (firearm), and that Shidad intentionally, knowingly and recklessly caused bodily injury to Remus Blair by shooting Blair with said deadly weapon. These cases are being prosecuted by the Family Violence Division in the 175th District Court. Capital murder is punishable by life in prison without parole or the death penalty.
Sasha Skare is charged with murder. The indictment alleges that on Jan. 22, 2021, Skare intentionally and knowingly caused the death of Martell Derouen by shooting Derouen with a deadly weapon (firearm). This case is being prosecuted by the Family Violence Division in the 186th District Court. Murder is a first degree felony punishable felony punishable by 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000.
Sijifredo and Wilfredo Montemayor are each charged with attempted capital murder of a police officer. Separate indictments allege that on Feb. 3, 2021, Sijifredo and Wilfredo Montemayor intentionally and knowingly attempted to cause the death of Joey Sepulveda by shooting Sepulveda with a deadly weapon (firearm), an act amounting to more than mere preparation that tended but failed to effect the commission of the offense of capital murder, having at the time the specific intent to commit the offense of capital murder, and Sepulveda was a peace officer who was acting in the lawful discharge of an official duty and that both Sijifredo and Wilfredo Montemayor knew Sepulveda was a peace officer. Both of these cases are being prosecuted by the Criminal Trial Division in the 379th District Court. Attempted capital murder of a police officer is a first degree felony punishable felony punishable by 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000.
Christian Alexis Cazares is charged with intoxication manslaughter. The indictment alleges that on Nov. 13, 2020, Cazares operated a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated, and did by reason of such intoxication cause the death of Michael William King by accident or mistake by Cazares driving the motor vehicle into King. This case is being prosecuted by the Criminal Trial Division in the 399th District Court. Intoxication manslaughter is a second degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000.
Robert Collett Junior is charged with intoxication manslaughter. The indictment alleges that on Nov. 20, 2020, Collett operated a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated, and did by reason of such intoxication cause the death of Sylvia Santoy by accident or mistake, by Collett driving a motor vehicle into a motor vehicle occupied by Santoy. This case is being prosecuted by the Criminal Trial Division in the 399th District Court. Intoxication manslaughter is a second degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000.
Orlando Martinez was indicted this week on multiple charges. In one pair of indictments, he is charged with racing on a highway causing serious bodily injury or death. The indictments allege that on Oct. 5, 2020, Martinez intentionally and knowingly participated as the driver and operator of a motor vehicle in a drag race and acceleration contest, namely: the operation of two or more vehicles from a point side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to outdistance each other, and as a result, Mario Garcia suffered death and Brian Julian Curel-Huerta suffered serious bodily injury. In another pair of indictments, Martinez is charged with failure to stop and render aid causing death and serious bodily injury. The indictments allege that on Oct. 5, 2020, Martinez intentionally and knowingly drove a vehicle that became involved in an accident that resulted in injury to Brian Julian Curel-Huerta. These cases are being prosecuted by the Criminal Trial Division in the 399th District Court. Racing on a highway causing serious bodily injury and death and failure to stop and render aid causing serious bodily injury and death are second degree felonies punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000.
Paul Knodell is charged in four separate indictments with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The indictments allege that on Feb. 7, 2021, Knodell used and exhibited a deadly weapon (motor vehicle) that in the manner of its use and intended use was capable of causing death and serious bodily injury, and defendant intentionally, knowingly and recklessly threatened imminent bodily injury to Andrew Chaudoir, Roy Chism, Gregory Clary and David Smith by driving said deadly weapon at and in the direction of the complainants. These cases are being prosecuted by the Criminal Trial Division in the 226th District Court. Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is a second degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000.
Two other Grand Juries have been selected and begin work next week.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. A person charged by indictment is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by a jury or a judge. Because these cases are pending, we can make no further comment on them.
Copies of indictments may be requested from the Bexar County District Clerk. Information on court settings can be found by searching the case online or directly from the court.