Gang member arraigned on murder charges

August 5, 2008 - 5:42PM
Jeremy Roebuck

DONNA - A Mexican national on the lam for six years in connection with the shooting death of rival gang member was formally charged with murder Tuesday.

Manuel Garcia Martinez Cabello, 27, remained in the Hidalgo County Jail on a $1 million bond, one day after Mexican federal authorities extradited him to the United States.

Investigators believe Martinez, a suspected member of the Tri-City Bombers, fatally shot Roberto Torres on Aug. 30, 2002, outside a home on the 600 block of South 18th Street.

The two got into an argument after Torres, a member of the South Alamo-based Poboys gang, started insulting Martinez's group, authorities said.

Martinez is believed to have fled to Mexico shortly after the crime and was released to FBI agents Monday after serving a four-year prison sentence south of the border on unrelated robbery charges.

If convicted, he could face up to life in prison and $10,000 in fines.

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Jeremy Roebuck covers courts and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4437.