Homicide Suspect appears in court while Bustamante is Busted in - | News for Yuma, Imperial Valley, El Centro, AZ & CA

Homicide Suspect appears in court while Bustamante is Busted in Mexico

Yuma, AZ - Manuel Bustamante, a wanted homicide suspect on the run since April for the death of a Yuma man is behind bars in Mexico.

Cpt. Eben Bratcher with the Yuma County Sheriff's Office says "He allegedly shot a person several times during the process of trying to rob him of Drugs."

Bratcher says 30 year old Bustamante was arrested Tuesday by Mexican authorities.

Cpt. Bratcher says once his new charges in Mexico are complete he will be turned over to YCSO facing charges for the death of 30 year old Kendall Smith who was brutally beaten with a baseball bat and later died.

Thursday afternoon Ruben Hector Ornelas, one of the 5 suspects also accused of being involved in the murder, appeared in court but not without representation.

Ornelas' Attorney says"It seems That the only crimes that they have against my client is that he was seen in the vehicle that was later identified to ..In the area of the crime scene and some hear say statements regarding the crime."

Ornelas  faces charges of first degree murder, the conspiracy to commit possession of a narcotic drug for sale and conspiracy to commit an armed robbery.

Ornelas and his attorney plead not guilty to all charges and argued his release conditions be lowered.

Judge Gregory Stewart says "At this point in time I'm going to deny request to modify bond continuing at this point in time in the amount of one million dollars cash only."

Ornelas is set to appear for his preliminary hearing next week.