A Wichita man accused of killing a different person at an east Wichita lodge simply because he was upset that a $60 CashApp payment to settle a drug financial debt did not go via has been formally billed with initially-degree felony murder, attempted distribution of methamphetamine and legal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, in accordance to court information.
Patricio S. Gomez, who was captured in March by U.S. Border Patrol agents following his truck got caught in the Rio Grande River alongside the Texas-Mexico border, produced a first physical appearance in Sedgwick County District Court docket on Friday afternoon.
He was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on Thursday following authorities extradited him from Texas to face prices in the Sept. 30, 2021, slaying of 42-12 months-previous Michael R. Martinez, who was shot numerous moments in Home 207 of the Prolonged Remain The usa at 9450 E. Corporate Hills Drive.
A possible trigger affidavit unveiled by a Sedgwick County choose before this 12 months suggests Gomez experienced long gone to the room with a woman and opened fireplace on Martinez after an digital payment he tried to make applying his cellphone unsuccessful.
Gomez experienced been on the operate due to the fact the night of the shooting. But he was arrested just after border patrol agents observed him strolling alongside a border barrier on March 28.
He told the agents that he was a U.S. citizen who had just re-entered the states by driving his truck by way of the river, in accordance to a March 30 news release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. An investigation into his background disclosed the Wichita homicide warrant.
Gomez, 32, on Friday was staying held in the Sedgwick County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bond. His subsequent court docket day is April 25, the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Place of work stated by electronic mail.
The female whom police say accompanied Gomez to the hotel, 36-calendar year-outdated Shae M. Roberts, is also charged with first-diploma felony murder and a drug criminal offense in connection with Martinez’s demise. Her trial is scheduled for July. She has pleaded not responsible to the rates.
This tale was originally posted April 15, 2022 4:23 PM.
Amy Renee Leiker has been reporting for The Wichita Eagle given that 2010. She covers crime, courts and breaking news and updates the newspaper’s on the net databases. She’s a mother of 3 and enjoys to read in her non-do the job time. Arrive at her at 316-268-6644 or at [email protected].