Judge Postpones Trial Dates for Two Men Accused of Brutal Murder

SAN ANGELO, TX -- Two men charged with murdering a San Angelo man in 2017 had their trial dates postponed Tuesday as prosecutors and defense attorneys clashed over trial details.

District Attorney Allison Palmer had filed a motion to join the two trials together and try the defendants at the same time.  Defense attorneys John Sutton and Stephanie Goodman objected saying their clients deserve to be tried separately.

Jeremy Perez, 26, and Antonio Flores, 29, are charged with murder in the shooting death of Andrew Martinez on Oct. 28, 2017.  

According to court documents, Angel Martinez told San Angelo Police Officers that he had driven a woman to a hotel on S. Bryant.  Upon arrival, Angel Martinez said he was approached by three men who wanted to know where Andrew Martinez was and threatened to beat him.  One of the three was a 15-year-old juvenile male who allegedly pulled a .45 caliber handgun and pistol whipped him. They said Andrew Martinez owed them money for meth.

The affidavit doesn’t indicate if Angel Martinez and Andrew Martinez were related.  

Angel Martinez then drove Perez, Flores and the juvenile to a residence in the 1300 block of E. 24th St.  Martinez said Andrew Martinez was outside the residence smoking. A fight ensued and one of the men shot Andrew Martinez at point blank range.  Andrew Martinez was transported to Shannon Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Perez and Flores are facing one count of murder which is a first degree felony in Texas punishable by 5 to 99 years or life in prison.  The case against the juvenile involved in the murder has been disposed. Because he is a juvenile, the records are sealed.

District Judge Ben Woodward said he would review case law concerning joining the cases and notify the attorneys when he reached a decision.  In the meantime, Woodward postponed the jury trials that were set for January 22, 2019 to allow prosecutors and defense attorneys time to prepare for trial.  

Perez and Flores were kept separated in the courtroom.  They were not allowed to talk to each other and jailers kept them apart.  Flores is jailed in lieu of $100,000 bond.  Perez remains jailed in lieu of $850,000 bond.