Woman released from jail after charges dismissed in 16-year-old’s killing last year
After six months in custody on robbery and murder accusations, a Canyon County judge ordered the release of Maribel Menchaca on Friday after her charges were dismissed.
Menchaca, 42, of Nampa, was initially accused of stealing a gold chain from a teenager during her family’s confrontation with him just hours before he was shot to death. She was later indicted for first-degree murder in connection to the alleged killing of 16-year-old Roberto Angel Gomez.The chain she was accused of stealing belonged to Gomez, who was shot multiple times Sept. 25.
The Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said Monday, through spokesman Joe Decker, that it plans to refile its case against Menchaca.
Menchaca’s 16-year-old son, Juan Manuel Menchaca Olvera, is also charged on suspicion of first-degree murder and robbery. Olvera is accused of fatally shooting Gomez and remains in custody at the juvenile detention center while he awaits trial. He is charged as an adult, despite his age.
Gomez was shot in Nampa, near 11th Avenue North and Powell Avenue, and died shortly after being taken to a hospital.
The prosecutor’s office filed a motion to dismiss Maribel Menchaca’s murder charge in March, but not her robbery charge. On April 18, her defense attorney, Alexander Briggs, filed a motion requesting that the judge dismiss both charges, arguing that the entire superseding indictment was now void and his client should be immediately released from custody.
The judge ordered she be released from custody Friday.
Six other people, including three adults and three other teenagers, were arrested in connection to the shooting and robbery.
Jose M. Menchaca, 39, is Olvera’s uncle, and he is accused of going to the location of the shooting with Olvera and Maribel Menchaca. Jose M. Menchaca is charged on suspicion of aiding and abetting robbery.
The probable cause affidavit in Olvera’s case alleges that Olvera claims he was “set up” by Gomez the night before the shooting and there was an altercation over stolen items, including drugs. He allegedly admitted that the next day, he went back to the trailer on Powell street with his family, including “my brother and some of his homeboys, my uncle and my mom.”
The other suspects charged in the case include the following people, all of whom await trial:
- Elizabeth Esparza, 28, of Caldwell — accessory to first-degree murder, aiding and abetting robbery, and perjury
- Olivia Hernandez-Santana, 35, of Caldwell — accessory to first-degree murder, intimidation of a witness and perjury
- Jose A. Menchaca, 17, of Nampa — accessory to first-degree murder, aiding and abetting robbery, and perjury
- Isaac Bernal, 16, of Nampa — accessory to first-degree murder, and aiding and abetting robbery
- Gabriel Hernandez Olivo, 16, of Caldwell — aiding and abetting first-degree murder, aiding and abetting robbery, and intimidation of a witness
