Murder suspect’s defense attorney questions detectives’ tactics

The trial of a young man accused of shooting and killing a high school student in 2014 continues at the county courthouse Downtown.

Police charged Gustavo Valencia, 17, with one count of Murder in the death of 18-year-old Adrian Ochoa.

Valencia is one of three men who allegedly shot Ochoa in a parking lot near Rio Grande and Stanton.

Defense Attorney Franciso Macias called Valencia’s mother, Fabiola Lara, to the witness stand Wednesday to ask about her son’s arrest.

Lara told the jury detectives came to her home to apprehend her son without providing a search warrant.

Macias also asked the two detectives today if they read the defendant his Miranda Rights before interrogating him.

Both said they had and that Valencia understood them. Macias questioned the accuracy of their testimony.

The defense attorney also showed the jury the required service weapon procedures detectives follow during their interviews.

It states that officers must keep their weapons out of sight, and put them away in a strong box or locked drawer.

One detective deviated from the protocol, entering the interview room with his weapon visibly holstered on his side.

Macias then asked the detective if the gun might have intimidated Valencia into agreeing with them.

The officer said he didn’t think so, but Macias thought otherwise.

Valencia could face a 5 to 99 year sentence if convicted. His trial continues Thursday.