CHANNELVIEW, Texas — A man charged with murder in the 1995 shooting death of a former cheerleader in Channelview was supposed to have his first court appearance Wednesday but it didn't happen.
Jose Luis Rios, now 47, was brought back to Harris County from Mexico last week to face a murder charge in the shooting death of 19-year-old Kristie Martin right before Christmas 28 years ago.
Rios didn't appear in court because he's on hold by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), so he won't be able to post bond.
The prosecutor told us that Martin's family was both surprised and relieved to hear he'd finally been captured.
"They were surprised, pleasantly surprised, that he was brought here and stated this is the greatest Christmas gift they could ever receive," prosecutor Catherine Johnson said. "They look forward to our office seeking justice on their behalf."
Johnson said they're determined to make sure Rios stays behind bars so he can't run off to Mexico again.
The killing of Kristie Martin
According to investigators, just after midnight on Dec. 23, 1995, Rios and his friend, Jorge Mendez, drove through River Terrace Park along Market Street in east Harris County. They approached Martin, a former Galena Park High School cheerleader, who was in a secluded part of the park with another woman and two men.
Investigators said Rios and Mendez called for the group to approach them. That’s when Martin reportedly told the people she was with not to do it. They were getting back into their car when Rios reportedly opened fire, killing Martin and wounding the 18-year-old woman.
Mendez and Rios left the scene and investigators said they eventually escaped to Mexico.
Through their investigation, detectives with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office identified Rios and Mendez as the suspects and charges were filed. They said Rios told friends about the shooting. Investigators also spoke to Rios’ girlfriend, who they said was a witness to Martin’s death.
In 2001, Mendez was arrested in Mexico. He was tried there and sentenced to 31 years in prison.
FBI agents tracked Rios down in Mexico in August but it took months to extradite him.
“The FBI has a very long memory, and the FBI has a very long reach,” Acting Special Agent in Charge David Martinez, of the FBI Houston Field Office, said.
If convicted, Rios could get up to life in prison.