LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A decide scheduled a jury trial for a person accused of capturing and killing his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend 17 years in the past after which fleeing to Mexico.
Members of the family of the sufferer, David Manriquez, who was 18 years previous on the time of the alleged homicide, attended the temporary courtroom look for Jonathan Romero, 34, on Wednesday morning.
“He knows what he did,” Ruby Manriquez, the sister of David Manriquez, mentioned. “He’s a coward.”
Clark County District Courtroom Decide Michelle Leavitt scheduled the trial for March 2, together with a Sept. 17 standing examine.
Romero pleaded not responsible on June 11.
“We just want him to pay what he did to my son,” Jaime Manriquez mentioned.
A Clark County grand jury indicted Romero for homicide with a lethal weapon, tried homicide with a lethal weapon, and housebreaking whereas in possession of a lethal weapon on June 6.On July 18, 2008, police discovered David Manriquez, 18, shot to loss of life at a house close to Lamb Boulevard and Washington Avenue.
Offended ex-boyfriend killed new boyfriend execution-style in Las Vegas homicide: courtroom transcripts
Romero’s ex-girlfriend testified she stopped courting Romero months earlier than the alleged homicide. She mentioned Romero confirmed up at her residence, pushed the door in, and ran upstairs. She described a wrestle between the lads leading to a damaged glass door. Romero shot Manriquez a number of occasions, together with behind the pinnacle, after which ran out of the home, she mentioned.
A warrant was issued for Romero in 2008.
The FBI reached out to Las Vegas Metro police in July of 2024 after a Felony Apprehension Crew had taken Romero into custody in Mexico. Romero was not booked into the Clark County Detention Heart till final month, the place he stays with out bail, based on jail data.
Ruby Manriqeuz mentioned her household discovered of Romero’s arrest from an 8 Information Now report.
“We kind of just put it in God’s hands,” she mentioned. “We kind of were not ever expecting him to get caught. It was a shock. We were expecting you know, God to handle it, but he’ll get his justice here and hopefully it’s enough.”
Ruby Manriquez mentioned the household needs Romero to spend the remainder of his life in jail. She wore a T-shirt along with her brother’s picture and his nickname, “Toons,” which she mentioned he earned for his humorousness and being like a cartoon.
“He was a great person. He was loving. He lit up the room. He was the class clown. If he was around, everyone was gonna be laughing,” she mentioned. “He was a great person inside and out. I only wish I would have been able to see what he would have become.”
On the time of his alleged homicide, Manriquez had an toddler son. The kid was raised by his grandparents and visited the Regional Justice Heart Wednesday morning for Romero’s listening to. He’s now 17 years previous.
