HOUSTON — Bond was increased to $2 million for a teen accused of killing his ex-girlfriend's stepfather in southeast Houston earlier this year.
Christian Martinez, 17, is charged with murder. He's accused of shooting and killing Osvaldo Casas on Aug. 10. Investigators said Casas, 37, died in his pregnant wife's arms outside their home around 12:30 a.m. in a neighborhood off Allen Genoa Road just south of 225.
During a court appearance on Monday, Martinez allegedly blew kisses after the judge raised his bond from $200,000 to $2 million. Both Casas' family members and Martinez's family members were inside the courtroom at the time and it's unclear who they were directed at.
According to court documents, Martinez was stalking Casas' stepdaughter and the shooting was an act of retaliation.
"The allegations are that the 17-year-old defendant briefly dated the complaining witness -- (Casas') 16-year-old daughter," a judge said during a previous court appearance. "The daughter stopped seeing this defendant after the defendant assaulted and unlawfully restrained her. The defendant repeatedly called the daughter until she blocked the defendant's phone number."
A judge also said Martinez posted threats on social media including pictures holding a gun. Casas’ wife, Judith Molina, said Martinez and her daughter never dated.
“He was just mad that she didn't want to date him. That she wanted to do nothing with him,” Molina said. “So, he was stalking her, stalking our house for days. Which I didn't know about.”
The family said they waited two months for an arrest to be made in the case and now they want justice.
"I'm not at peace but I believe the judge is going to do right. ... He's guilty," Casas' mother said.
Investigators said they're still searching for a second person believed to be involved in the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).
Editor's note: A previous version of this article said Martinez blew air kisses at the victim's family in the courtroom, but information later revealed it wasn't clear who the kisses were directed at.
