Prosecutors Say 3rd Man Escaped Double Murder
Omaha, NE - There are new details in a double murder that happened in December. Prosecutors say a third victim, who got away, led them to the suspects. A judge denied both men bond Tuesday afternoon, and they remain in the Douglas County Jail.
On December 2nd, police found 47-year-old Carlos Morales and 40-year-old Bernardo Noriega, shot to death at the Genuine Auto Body Shop near 40th and Lake St. Morales owned the business. Prosecutors say two suspects were at the shop and shot at Morales, Noriega, and a third man in an attempted robbery. The other victim, whom KMTV Action 3 News won't name, was able to get away and identify one of the suspects.
"There is a third victim that is obviously important to the case,” said Chief Deputy Douglas County Attorney Brenda Beadle, "Certainly it's a very serious case and he's very fortunate to still be here."
Judge Barrett denied bond for 36-year-old Derrick Stricklin and 39-year-old Terrell Newman. Prosecutors charged them with murder and attempted murder among other felony charges. OPD and the Fugitive Task Force arrested the suspects just hours after they issued an arrest warrant last week.
"I believe they were both recently released from federal parole," Beadle explained.
The U.S. Attorney's Office confirms both men are still on federal probation after serving prison terms for drug conspiracy. Stricklin has been on federal probation since May 2011 for cocaine distribution and Newman has been on supervised release since 2009.
KMTV Action 3 News spoke with the wife of Carlos Morales who said these arrests don’t bring her peace because it doesn’t bring her husband back.
Both suspects face up to life in prison. Their next court appearance is in February.
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