Moses Lake man charged with first-degree murder

Ex-wife charged with helping cover up

EPHRATA — A 40-year-old Moses Lake man is charged with first-degree murder, following a shooting early Saturday in Moses Lake.

Epanlito Paul Rocha made an initial court appearance Monday in Grant County Superior Court, represented by public defender Mike Aiken. Judge Ken Jorgensen scheduled an Oct. 9 arraignment hearing and set bail at $500,000.

Rocha, who allegedly shot 28-year-old Michael C. Reyes of Moses Lake around 2 a.m. Saturday, told the court he's "not guilty."

Jorgensen declined to accept a plea until the murder suspect speaks further with his attorney.

A ruling Tuesday from Grant County Coroner Jerry Jasman confirmed Reyes' death was homicide, following an autopsy.

Meanwhile, Rocha's former wife, 38-year-old Jean Odessa Rocha of Moses Lake, was booked into Grant County Jail for investigation of aiding and abetting first-degree murder.

Detectives determined Jean Rocha stashed a small caliber handgun, after her former husband allegedly used it to shoot Reyes, police Capt. Jim Jenkins said Wednesday.

The weapon is now in police possession, he said.

Court documents filed Monday by the Grant County prosecutor's office charged Epanlito Rocha with premeditated murder, based on a report by the Moses Lake Police Department.

The shooting occurred after Reyes apparently confronted Epanlito Rocha at home, on Sunny Drive, the police report states.

Epanlito and Jean Rocha were at the Sunny drive residence with three other people at the time of the shooting.

Reyes left the Rocha residence, the report states, heading back to his girlfriend's home, less than a block away.

Epanlito Rocha apparently soon followed. He fired one shot into the ground, prompting Reyes to run, according to the report. Epanlito Rocha allegedly blasted a second round, piercing the fleeing Reyes in the left upper torso, court documents state.

Officers were soon dispatched, finding Reyes lying in the street. Emergency medical personnel attended to Reyes, but he died at the scene.

Officers soon arrested Epanlito Rocha, without further incident.

During interviews, Epanlito Rocha allegedly told detectives he did not "mean to" shoot Reyes and was "sorry."

Investigators searched the home of Reyes' girlfriend and vehicles in front of the residence looking for a possible murder weapon, court records state. They also searched Epanlito Rocha's residence, using a search warrant, but no weapon was recovered.

Upon further investigation, police learned Jean Rocha hid the alleged murder weapon. She was booked into jail Monday afternoon.

Police are continuing to investigate the incident and interview witnesses, Jenkins said.