RENO, Nev.: Public defenders are trying to persuade a judge to indefinitely postpone the trial for a Salvadoran immigrant accused of killing four northern Nevadans because COVID-19 travel restrictions prevent them from going to El Salvador to gather evidence for his defense.
Washoe County District Judge Connie Steinheimer cleared the way last week for Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman to be tried in Reno for the four homicides committed in two counties during a 10-day rampage in January 2019.
But she scheduled a hearing for late Wednesday afternoon to hear arguments on whether the trial that’s been delayed several times should be postponed indefinitely. No trial date currently is set.
Martinez-Guzman’s lawyers have said they need to go to El Salvador to gather information about his background, including his mental capacity. Travel to the country is currently is prohibited due to the coronavirus.
Martinez-Guzman, 21, faces the possibility of the death penalty if convicted. He was indicted last year in the killing of an elderly Reno couple and of two Gardnerville women in their homes.
The defense lawyers are attempting to conduct a mental disability evaluation to determine whether he has an intellectual disability that would make him ineligible for the death penalty if convicted.
Their investigation would also look into whether Martinez-Guzman was exposed to harmful substances as a youth or if he was traumatized, mistreated or neglected.
Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks has argued that the medical experts could conduct their investigation using online communication platforms to communicate with people in El Salvador, noting that Martinez-Guzman has used Zoom to talk to relatives in El Salvador.
Federal officials have said Martinez-Guzman is in the U.S. illegally, but they dont know how or when he crossed the Mexico border. The case has drawn the attention of President Donald Trump, who used it to bolster his push for a border wall.
The 10-count indictment includes four murder charges and multiple burglary charges.
Martinez-Guzman stole a revolver from Gerald and Sharon David in southwest Reno Jan. 4, 2019, investigators have said.
Martinez-Guzman fatally shot Constance Koontz on Jan. 9, killed Sophia Renken on Jan. 12 and robbed and killed the Davids on Jan. 15, investigators have said.
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