ABC-7 Coverage of Daniel Villegas
ABC-7 has been following the case of convicted murderer Daniel Villegas as he has fought for years to get a new trial because he says he was coerced into confessing to the murders as a teenager.
In January 2014, Villegas was released from prison but prosecutors plan on prosecuting him again.
Villegas was set to go to trial for a third time on murder charges in January of this year but the trial was postponed because prosecutors filed an appeal on a ruling of what can and cannot be allowed as evidence in the trial.
Click on the links below for ABC-7’s coverage of Villegas. Stories are from most recent to oldest.
November 3, 2014 Judge rules Daniel Villegas’ 1993 statement in murder case can’t be used at trial
October 16, 2014 Villegas, prosecutor react while waiting for suppression ruling
October 15, 2014 Defense lawyers want 20-year old confession thrown out
June 14, 2014 Daniel Villegas free after 18 years behind bars
April 18, 2014 3rd murder trial of Daniel Villegas indefinitely delayed after defense granted continuance
March 01, 2014 El Paso district attorney’s office working to put Daniel Villegas on trial for murder a 3rd time
March 01, 2014 Attorney wants confession tossed for 3rd murder trial for Daniel Villegas
February 12, 2014 Judge recommends convicted murderer Daniel Villegas get a new trial
January 21, 2014 Retrial date set for Daniel Villegas retrial; District Attorney hasn’t decided if he’ll be retried
January 15, 2014 Supporter of Daniel Villegas discusses release
January 14, 2014 Daniel Villegas heads to church and restaurant after release from prison
January 14, 2014 What’s Next For Daniel Villegas?
January 14, 2014 Photos: Daniel Villegas Released
January 14, 2014 Daniel Villegas released on bond
January 13, 2014 Villegas’ bond hearing Tuesday morning in Judge Sam Medrano’s courtroom
January 3, 2014 DA’s motion to recuse Judge Sam Medrano from Villegas retrial denied
December 24, 2013 El Paso judge says he doesn’t have authority to release Daniel Villegas until mandate issued
December 24, 2013 Convicted murderer Daniel Villegas not released from jail Dec. 24
Dec. 18, 2013: State appellate court orders new trial for convicted murderer Daniel Villegas
Aug. 16, 2012: Judge recommends convicted murderer Daniel Villegas get a new trial
Aug. 16, 2012: ABC-7 at 4 interview with supporter of Daniel Villegas
June 23, 2012: Prosecution, Defense At Odds Over Audio With Alleged Admission By Convicted Murderer
Nov. 11, 2011: Villegas’ Writ Hearing Over; ‘Last Chance At Freedom’ In Judge’s Hands
Nov. 2, 2011: Hearing To Determine Whether Villegas Case Goes To Higher Court
Sept. 15, 2011: Villegas Testifies He Was Paralyzed By Fear Of Former Detective
Sept. 10, 2011: Defense Grills Former Detective For Second Day
Sept. 9, 2011: Ex-Detective Questioned More Than Seven Hours At Villegas Hearing
Sept. 7, 2011: Villegas’ Attorney: Former Detective Trying To ‘Bully’ Client In Court
Sept. 6, 2011: New Witnesses For Villegas Say Others Committed Murders
Sept. 6, 2011: Villegas Evidentiary Hearing Scheduled For Sept. 6, 2011
June 24, 2011: ‘New Information’ In Villegas Hearing Causes Postponement
Nov. 19, 2010:Special Report: Man Says Coerced Confession Convicted Him Of Double Murder
