Murder Charges Filed Against Palm Desert Teens

Murder charges were filed Wednesday against two Palm Desert residents suspected in the shooting death of a man in Coachella last weekend.

Fabian Martinez, 23, of Coachella, was found dead of a gunshot wound in the road in the 48600 block of Camino Las Brisas on Sunday morning, and 19-year- old Carlos Jay Martinez and 18-year-old Noel Hernandez were arrested the next day, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Martinez and Hernandez were arraigned this afternoon at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, with both entering not guilty pleas. At the end of the hearing -- which was held in a packed courtroom -- someone yelled curse words before the defendants were taken away, causing deputies to order most of the crowd to clear the room.

The criminal complaint alleges Hernandez used a gun and Martinez used a screwdriver in the killing. Hernandez additionally faces one felony count each of assault and false imprisonment for allegedly attacking a woman, identified only as Lilliana A., on the same day as the murder, according to the complaint.

Sheriff’s Deputy Armando Munoz said the victim and defendants didn’t appear to be related. Authorities haven’t disclosed a motive for the killing.

Both defendants are due back in court Nov. 6 for a felony settlement conference and bail hearing. They are currently being held on $1 million bail each.

--By City News Service.

(Image via Shutterstock)