Teenager blows kisses in court after alleged murder of stepfather
Accused killer seen blowing kisses at victim's family in court
A teenager accused of killing his ex-girlfriend’s stepfather was seen blowing kisses in court, in front of the victim’s family. Christian Martinez, 17, is suspected of murdering 37-year-old Osvaldo Casas outside his Houston home on August 10.
Casas was shot multiple times just after midday and died in the arms of his pregnant girlfriend. Police investigations revealed that Martinez had been stalking Casas’ 16-year-old stepdaughter. Casas reportedly tried to intervene and was shot dead.
Authorities reported that Casas had stepped outside to check on a suspicious vehicle. His wife, Judith Molina, mentioned they had received a call from a neighbour about the car, worried after their vehicle had been vandalised the previous night.
Texas teen murder suspect blows kiss in court during hearing for shooting of stepfather of girl he stalked https://t.co/h8dVgRWbkB pic.twitter.com/sH3pNQCqWs
— New York Post (@nypost) October 23, 2024
Investigators stated this was when Casas was shot dead. A judge explained that the 17-year-old defendant briefly dated Casas’ 16-year-old stepdaughter. She stopped seeing him after he assaulted and unlawfully restrained her. Despite being blocked, Martinez continued to call her and posted threatening messages on social media, including an image of himself with a firearm, and mentioned getting payback.
Martinez now faces charges of first-degree felony murder and first appeared in court on Monday, 21 October, where he was seen blowing kisses. This occurred after his bail was raised from $200,000 to $2 million. Both families were present in the courtroom, with the kiss directed at the victim’s family members.
Molina insisted her daughter never dated Martinez, stating he was just angry that she didn’t want to be with him. She expressed her hope that he receives a life sentence in prison. An online fundraiser was created by Casas’ wife, where she described him as a beloved community member who was tragically shot while protecting his family.
Police are still searching for a second suspect. Online users reacted with outrage to Martinez’s behaviour in court, with one Reddit user commenting, “He might think it’s cute now but he won’t be blowing any kisses in prison.”
What Other Media Are Saying
- KHOU reports on a teen murder suspect, Christian Martinez, blowing kisses at the victim’s family during his court appearance, amid raised bond from $200,000 to $2 million.(read more)
- NYPost reports Christian Martinez, a Texas teen murder suspect, blew kisses in court after his arrest for the shooting of Osvaldo Casas, highlighting bizarre courtroom behavior.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who is Christian Martinez?
Christian Martinez is a 17-year-old accused of murdering Osvaldo Casas.
What happened to Osvaldo Casas?
Osvaldo Casas was shot multiple times and died outside his Houston home on August 10.
Why was Martinez blowing kisses in court?
Martinez was seen blowing kisses towards the victim’s family members during his court appearance.
What were the charges against Martinez?
Martinez faces charges of first-degree felony murder.
Is there another suspect in the case?
Yes, police are still searching for a second suspect.
