PASADENA, Texas – Two teenage suspects are charged with capital murder in connection to the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old in Pasadena, according to court records.
Cruz Martinez, 18, was charged with the offense and is also charged with tampering with evidence. He was booked into the Harris County Jail.
Court records show Serenity Delgado, 17, who was named as a co-defendant in the case, has also been charged with capital murder and tampering with evidence. She was arrested on Sunday.
Martinez’ bond has been denied and Delgado’s bond has not been set at this moment.
“The killing appears to be completely premeditated and intentional and I do find this defendant poses an extreme danger to the community,” said Magistrate Judge Lisa Porter during Martinez’ court appearance Sunday.
According to court records, Martinez shot and killed Nathaniel Navarro while attempting to rob him. Court records also say Martinez concealed Navarro’s body after the shooting.
Navarro’s body was found in the 1000 block of Satsuma Street in Pasadena. Navarro’s mother tracked his cell phone to Satsuma Park where police found his body early Thursday morning.
“Per witnesses, video evidence and co-defendants. This defendant and his co-defendants made a plan to meet the complainant, they told him they wanted to buy drugs, but they intended to rob him,” said Porter.
According to court records, Martinez admitted to authorities that he planned and carried out the robbery and the murder and, with the help of another person, disposed of the body in the park in an effort to conceal the body from police and others.
Records show Navarro’s phone was thrown into a bayou, his sweatshirt tossed in a dumpster, and the suspects sold his gun.
At the time of the murder, Martinez was out on bond for other crimes.
“Literally two weeks ago, he was charged with DWI and unlawfully carrying a weapon,” said Andy Kahan, Crime Stoppers Director of Victim Services.
Records show Serenity Delgado also confessed to killing Nathaniel Navarro. Delgado is expected to appear for a probable cause hearing Sunday night.
One other co-defendant has been named in the case, but it does not appear that they have been arrested or charged as of Sunday.
A mugshot of Martinez or Delgado was not immediately available.
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