Las Cruces man accused of killing ex-girlfriend with car pleads not guilty

A Las Cruces man accused of hitting and killing his ex-girlfriend with a vehicle pled not guilty to his charges in district court on Monday.

Angel Saenz Jr., 38, is facing first degree capital murder charges in connection with the death of 42-year-old Sonia Castillo.

Castillo died from her injuries on December 21st only hours before a judge ruled that Saenz be held without bond.

“My daughter did not deserve to die like that,” said Estella Garcia, Castillo’s mother, “I’m really glad the court is working with us. That he’s going to stay there. He needs to stay there. I was disappointed, but I’m happy.”

She said her daughter had multiple skull and facial fractures. She also had a broken spine, broken neck, broken collarbone, broken ribs and a broken leg.

Castillo told ABC-7 in December that her daughter feared Saenz before he was arrested in connection with the crime. The mother also said her daughter filed a request for a restraining order that was denied.

An attorney for Saenz Jr. denied to comment on the case.