Zuniga Capital Murder Trial Delayed Again

SAN ANGELO, TX -- The capital murder trial of Ricky Ray Zuniga has been delayed from September to October after defense attorneys told District Judge Ben Woodward they would not be ready for trial on Sept. 17.

Zuniga, 27, is charged with capital murder in the Sept. 2016 murders of Jimmy Andrew Gonzales and Anthony Michael Martinez.  His co-defendants in the shootings are Raymond Alvarado, Krystal Lerma and Justin Gamez

Court documents say Zuniga was present when Gonzales and Martinez were shot to death in the course during a robbery.  

According to the affidavit, San Angelo Police said that Krystal Nicole Lerma, 27, Ricky Ray Ortegon Zuniga and Justin Gamez “intentionally and knowingly [caused] the death of” Gonzales and Martinez.

On Sept. 12, 2016, San Angelo Police Officer Reeves was dispatched to the 1000 block of Rio Grande Street and found two males with gunshot wounds inside the residence.

SAPD Officer Roebuck went to Shannon Hospital when advised of the shooting to wait for the gunshot victims to arrive.

The first victim to arrive at the hospital was Gonzales, who was pronounced dead by medical personnel. Martinez arrived shortly thereafter, and was also pronounced dead by medical personnel, the affidavit said.

A witness at the scene told officials that he observed three men enter the residence on Rio Grande St. and heard fighting. He then heard gunshots and took cover inside his nearby residence until the shots stopped. That’s when he called police.

Zuniga said he, along with Raymond Alvarado, drove to Gonzales’ house on Rio Grande that night. Alvarado, the complaint said, told Zuniga he had intentions of stealing from Gonzales. Once the duo arrived, the two went inside and a fight ensued with Martinez. Sometime during the fight, Zuniga told police Alvarado brandished a firearm.

He asked Martinez “where his money was.” Shortly thereafter, Zuniga told police he heard gunfire and “got out of the house."

Zuniga said he went back to Gamez’s truck that the two arrived in. Alvarado then got into the backseat of the truck, and Gamez drove them away from the house. Zuniga told police Alvarado had killed both Martinez and Gonzales.

Alvarado took a plea deal that sent him to life in prison without parole. Lerma was sentenced to 27 years in prison.  Gamez will be tried after Zuniga.

Judge Woodward moved Zuniga’s jury trial to Monday, Oct. 15 with jury selection possibly Friday, Oct. 12.  A final pretrial hearing is set for Oct. 5 at 9 a.m.