The State Trial for the Walmart shooting case may delay if Federal prosecutors want to seek death penalty

EL PASO, Texas -- District Court Judge Sam Medrano says he will wait to see if Federal prosecutors will seek the death penalty against the accused Walmart shooter before he makes decisions on how to proceed with the state case.

Federal Officials will decide if the death penalty will be considered in the Cielo Vista Walmart Shooting Case by January of 2023.

“Depending on the outcome of the federal government’s decision, we would be in a better position to determine whether or not scheduling orders, or a tentative trial or even a permanent trial date should be made on the state’s side,” Medrano said from the bench Tuesday at a status hearing on the state’s case against the alleged shooter.