Grape Creek Capital Murder Trial Begins Today

 

SAN ANGELO, TX — The accused shooter in the Grape Creek killing that occurred last August is scheduled to stand trial this morning in Judge Weatherby’s 340th District Court, nearly a year after the defendant is alleged to have taken the life of his wife with a handgun.

Matthew Sammuel Salazar, 32, is charged with the capital murder of his wife, Heather Shane Salazar, and the attempted capital murder of her alleged lover, Bradley Glenn Floyd.

The incident occurred on Aug. 31, 2013 at Floyd’s residence, located at 8213 Poplar Lane in Tom Green County. According to a complaint filed with the court, the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at approximately 12:20 p.m. on that day in reference to a shooting.

When deputies arrived on scene, Salazar surrendered and was taken into custody. He then admitted to killing his wife with a handgun and to having shot Bradley.

At a pre-trial hearing on Aug. 5, Salazar pleaded not guilty to the charges in the indictments. The final pre-trial hearing was held on Wednesday last week, where attorneys for the state and the defense declared themselves ready to stand trial.

Some 40-50 photos, audio from the 911 call, testimony from the medical examiner, and a brief video interview conducted while Salazar was in custody are anticipated to be presented as evidence during the trial, which is estimated to last four to five days.

Additionally, a three-page written confession given to Texas Ranger Nick Hanna and TGC investigator Terry Lowe will be admitted, with the omission of a single line.

“If I understand the definition of temporary insanity, this right here was it,” Salazar wrote while in custody. Defense Attorney John Stacey Young and assisting attorney James P. Sadler stated at the pre-trial hearing that Salazar has undergone forensic psychological evaluations and that temporary insanity cannot be proven.

A likely defense, as discussed at the pre-trial hearing, may include “sudden passion”, which the Texas Penal Code defines as “…passion directly caused by and arising out of provocation by the individual killed or another acting with the person killed which passion arises at the time of the offense and is not solely the result of former provocation.”

On Aug. 8, Assistant District Attorney Bryan Clayton submitted a written statement obtained from 36-year-old Michael Jones, who describes his relationship to the Salazars in a witness affidavit dated Aug. 6.

“I have been friends with Matthew Salazar for several years and only met Heather his wife about four years ago,” Jones writes. “I did spend some time hanging out with Matthew and Heather and a guy named Bradley was always at their house. Once I was at a BBQ at Matthew and Heather’s and I noticed that everyone was texting all the time, and to me it looked like Heather and Bradley were texting each other.

“One time around July 2013 I was at Matthew and Heather’s and Bradley was there. Bradley left and then me and Matthew left and Matthew went down the street and pulled over so he could watch his house. Matthew said the wanted to see if Bradley went back to his house or if Heather left the house to go to Bradley’s,” he stated.

Jones also writes that Salazar had mentioned he thought the two may be having an affair and that he hadn’t mentioned it to his wife since they were friends.

Clayton explained in the court document that the statement may be used to indicate motive and to rebut a possible sudden passion defense.

Salazar, Floyd, and several mutual friends of the Salazars are also anticipated to take the stand this week. The state will only be pursuing the capital murder charge against Salazar; the attempted capital murder charge will not be prosecuted.

Capital murder carries either a sentence of life without parole or death in the state of Texas. The state is not seeking death in the Salazar case. Should sudden passion be found in the punishment phase, the charge against Salazar will be dropped to a second-degree felony, punishable by two to 20 years imprisonment and an optional $10k fine. 

Salazar has no prior criminal record in Tom Green County.

The Grape Creek Murder Trial, as it unfolded in the Tom Green County Courthouse in August 2014:

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jdgt, Mon, 08/18/2014 - 10:53
Why isn't the state pursuing the death penalty? This guy is guilty, already... There's no PROVING that. He admitted it. The signs all point to YES! Go directly to jail, do not pass go. Let this guy fry! I'll never understand the judicial system and the games it plays with people's lives.
On the surface, I agree with JD but jealousy is a strong and hateful companion. He is guilty and he must pay accordingly, but I have to admit that I understand how one could do something stupid under the circumstances. That's a reason the state isn't seeking the death penalty. It's one thing to plan a murder but another for it to occur in the heat of the moment, one punishment is deemed more harsh than the other.
does Matt high on meth when he killed Heather fall under sudden passion.....I think not. I hope that the jury sees him for what he is and horrible person. He changed 2 little boys lives forever and not for the better. I hope that he gets what he deserve....The maximum sentence
Favian...Did you not read the article? He suspected them of an affair so that could be premeditated not a spur of the moment thing. He took someone's life and deserves for the same punishment
By all means, he deserves punishment. I was just showing why he may or may not be charged in a certain fashion.
It is not "stupidity" to suspect your wife of cheating with your friend, clandestinely watch her to prove it to yourself, and then kill her. That is not "heat of passion". Of course that will be the defense and hopefully the jury sees it for what it is.
I worked with Matt at Ugly Guys Used Cars for five years. He was a loose cannon. He would always be in a rage for some reason or another. They both cheated on each other. Matt always carried a gun with him because people did not like him. I knew Heather also they both where addicts. Heather did not deserve to die and to this day I can not believe Matt did this. If there is justice in Texas I hope we see it in this trial.
jdgt, Tue, 08/19/2014 - 11:35
Just another fine example of Grape Creek citizenry. I knew Heather, too. So unfortunate, coming from such a prominent family in Sutton Co, that she ended up this way. I'm sorry for those kids involved. Makes me sick that two grown ass adults with responsibility chose wrong and now, look...
Sad that the children had to lose their mother like this. Heather was a not a great person but did not deserve this. The children I hope will survive to live better lives than the parents. They are good kids.

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