When suspected serial killer Johnny Avalos will stand trial
By Darian Trotter
FOX 29
SAN ANTONIO - A suspected serial killer awaits trial while families of the victims wait for justice.
31-year old Johnny Avalos has been behind bars since his arrest back in April of 2015.
Fox San Antonio talked to prosecutors about why it's taking so long for the case to go to trial.
"I know the closure they're looking for and it's never real closure it's really getting to the next level of trying to find peace," said Nico LaHood.
For families seeking justice the wait has been excruciating long.
The body of 15-year old Natalie Chavez was found back in December of 2015, 28-year old Rosemary Perez in January the same year.
Then there's the bodies of 29 year old Celia Lopez, and 46-year old Genevieve Ramirez both found in April of 2015.
31-year old Johnny Avalos has been indicted for Capital Murder in all four cases but he has yet to stand trial.
"I have met with some of the family members," LaHood said. "They know that I have had every intention of trying this case with David Lunan the other prosecutor but I can't control when the judge sets it for docket."
Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood says the case is ready to move forward, but a judge controls when the case is scheduled and placed on the docket.
"Our job is to be ready to try the case to evaluate the evidence to be ready to present it to a jury when a judge, any judge allows us to do that," LaHood explained.
After his arrest there'd been concerns about Avalos's mental state.
Earlier this year he was found competent by a magistrate judge to stand trial.
"We're not seeking the death penalty in this case because our expert and the defense expert both agree that he's intellectually challenged," said LaHood.
If found guilty prosecutors will seek a life sentence without the possibility for parole.
LaHood had hoped to go trial before he's slated to leave office.
"And that has obviously given the family some concern because they have intended on myself trying the case," LaHood said.
The trial is set for March of 2019.
https://foxsanantonio.com/news/local...ll-stand-trial
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