Accused Bailey St. Murderer Takes Plea Deal

SAN ANGELO, TX – For the second time this week, a suspect charged with murder has decided to take a plea deal and forgo a jury trial.  Gabriel Ortiz was charged after he shot 28-year-old Ernesto Hernandez multiple times in the torso and the head.

In March of 2019, SAPD responded to a call at 2013 Bailey St for reports of multiple shots fired. Upon arrival, they found Hernandez dead in the backyard. Witnesses told authorities that they heard one shot fired, then someone yelled “don’t do it”, followed by two additional shots.

Ortiz was in the front yard of the house and told officers he had a gun in his pocket. The same witness that heard the shots told police that Ortiz had “placed the gun at a downward angle and shot Hernandez." 

Ortiz was arrested and placed on a$250,000 bond, which he was able to make. While getting a haircut at the Tom Green County Jail Ortiz was watching a local news station that was airing a story featuring his wife crying. He allegedly told the other inmate: "You wasn't crying when you were sleeping with him. That's my wife and she's next."

Ortiz ended the conversation by telling the inmate: “She f---ed with the right one. I told her from the beginning, she's f---ed with the right one." 

The inmate told police what Ortiz said, and police believed that Ortiz would be a real threat to his wife if left unchecked. After posting bail, Ortiz fled to Winters and was arrested once more on charges of retaliation or obstruction.

In addition to serving 40 years in prison, Ortiz must pay $6,875.34 in restitution. The retaliation or obstruction charge was also dropped as part of the plea deal.