HOUSTON – The man accused of fatally shooting a 16-year-old girl 22 times in 2022 did not appear for the first day of his murder trial on Monday.
Frank Deleon Jr., 19, is being charged in the murder of his former girlfriend, Diamond Alvarez.
Deleon’s defense attorney said he was in a car accident on his way to court which was the reason he was not able to appear. According to officials, Deleon had a significant injury following the collision.
The judge forfeited Deleon’s bond and a warrant was issued Monday morning for his arrest.
He was taken into custody at Ben Taub Hospital and later transferred to the Harris County jail.
The judge ordered a bond hearing for Tuesday morning to decide if Deleon’s bond will be reinstated or if he’ll remain in jail for the duration of the trial.
His attorney, Joaquin Jimenez, told KPRC 2 that his client is “not running” from the charges and he will provide details about the accident during Tuesday’s hearing.
The victim’s family also held a news conference about the trial and spoke about Deleon’s absence.
“This is unfair. I’m livid. I’m livid because this is so unfair. Now, they said that we have to wait. Wait how much longer? What’s the next step? Is he going to run?” Alvarez’s aunt Blanca said. “It’s been two years too long. Two years too long, and he’s still free.”
Alvarez’s mother, Anna Manchada, is skeptical because Deleon has violated the conditions of his bond once before.
Additionally, prosecutors recently filed paperwork stating that they intended to introduce new accusations during the trial. Court records indicate prosecutors will provide information Deleon punched Alvarez and threatened her with a gun a year before her death.
“Horrible, horrible,” Manchada said when Deleon failed to show up for court. “It’s just this anger building inside. I want this to end, not for us, for my baby.”
What Happened
Authorities said Alvarez and Deleon were involved in a love triangle with another teen. Alvarez eventually found out about the other relationship and arranged to meet Deleon on Jan. 11, 2022, at night at a park in the 15400 block of Park Manor.
Alvarez went outside that evening to walk her dog, then her family said they heard gunshots. They later found her body in a field.
Deleon was arrested six days after the shooting but was released a day later after posting a $250,000 bond. He was arrested a second time in April 2022 for violating his bond conditions and then released again.
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