Zapata & Young Attend Pre-Trial Hearing That Occurred Behind Closed Doors

SAN ANGELO, TX – This morning, the attorneys of Ray Zapata and John Young reconvened at the Tom Green County Court for a scheduled Pre-Trial hearing. This Pre-Trial date was reset for today in October of 2016, but all discussions occurred behind closed doors in Judge Jay Weatherby's chambers.

According to sources, the purpose of today's Pre-Trial was to present a “Motion to Quash Indictment” for Zapata and a "Motion to Dismiss Indictment Because of a Lack of Probably Cause to Charge and No Evidence to Convict Beyond A Reasonable Doubt" on behalf of Young. Zapata and Young both face Theft Property >= $200K and Aggravated Perjury; Zapata also faces two counts of Forgery Financial Instrument, while Young faces Misappropriation Fiduciary/Financial Property>=$200K and one count of Forgery Financial Instrument. These cases are associated with a John Sullivan, a wealthy loner who died at 77 two years ago.

Sullivan was a millionaire in San Angelo who had been arrested for one count of possession of child pornography and online solicitation of a minor. Taking into account Sullivan’s extensive resources, his bond was set at $1,000,000. Bails bondsmen Ray Zapata and Armando Martinez joined together to pay the bond.

Sullivan was found dead two months after being released from jail by Zapata and Martinez. His death was deemed the result of natural causes, but the problems began when John Young, Sullivan’s attorney, presented a new will dated two days before Sullivan’s death. In it, he named Young the sole beneficiary of his estate, and Zapata was listed as the witness. After an investigation ensued, Zapata and Young face several charges relating to fraud and theft.

During the previous court hearing in October, Judge Ben Woodward set the date for today’s Pre-Trial and indicated that it would begin at 10 a.m. An hour was allotted for the hearing.

However, at approximately 10 a.m., attorneys asked to speak with the judge in his chambers and proceeded to leave the courtroom. Zapata arrived at the courthouse a little while later and remained in the courtroom until the team of lawyers indicated they would be leaving. Young arrived five minutes prior to the departure and left with the attorneys and Zapata.

Because the hearing took place behind closed doors, LIVE! cannot report the outcome of the Motions. Also, as of yet, no reset dates have been scheduled. LIVE! will continue to follow this case and provide updates when available.

For previous stories on these cases, click here, here, here, and here.