Silva brothers plead not guilty
EPHRATA - Alfredo and Juan Silva pleaded not guilty in the
shooting and stabbing death of 18-year-old Luis Martinez. Alfredo
L. Silva, 18, Soap Lake, is charged with murder in the second
degree and unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree,
according to Grant County Superior Court records.
EPHRATA - Alfredo and Juan Silva pleaded not guilty in the shooting and stabbing death of 18-year-old Luis Martinez.
Alfredo L. Silva, 18, Soap Lake, is charged with murder in the second degree and unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree, according to Grant County Superior Court records.
His brother, Juan D. Silva, 18, Soap Lake, is charged with murder in the second degree and assault in the first degree.
Bail was set at $500,000 for each of the brothers, according to court records. They are currently being held in the Grant County Jail.
Alfredo Silva's attorney, Robert Kentner, argued for lower bail for his client, saying he has family in the area, is a lifelong Soap Lake resident and works in an orchard. He requested bail be set at $100,000.
"Our client does have an assault in the second degree as a juvenile," he said. "My further understanding is he never failed to appear for court ... The interesting thing about this case, your honor, is my client turned himself in."
Alfredo Silva's family doesn't have the money to pay for bail, Kentner said.
"I understand this is a serious crime," he said.
Prosecutor Angus Lee argued Alfredo Silva has multiple convictions as a juvenile, including assault in the second degree and assault in the fourth degree.
"All of the information you just heard was presented to (Superior Court) Judge (John) Knodell, who felt that $500,000 was an appropriate amount," he said. "Nothing has changed."
Visiting Douglas County Superior Court Judge John Hotchkiss agreed with Lee, saying the murder in the second degree charge can carry a possible 20 year sentence.
"Under the circumstances, I don't feel that the bail is inappropriate," he said.
Juan Silva's attorney, Quinn Rosborough, didn't add any arguments beyond entering the plea.
The brothers are accused of getting into a fight at a party in a mobile home on Buttercup Street in Soap Lake, according to court records. Luis Martinez, his brother, Efrain Martinez, and Luis Martinez's girlfriend, along with several other people encountered Juan Silva while they were heading to the party. The group reportedly stopped to ask directions.
The Martinez brothers reportedly started fighting with Juan Silva. After settling their differences, the group continued on to the party, discovering Juan Silva was also attending, according to the Moses Lake police report.
A witness reportedly saw Juan Silva on his phone, and Alfredo Silva arrived about five minutes after the group, according to the police report. Alfredo Silva reportedly started asking Efrain Martinez whether he "jumped" Juan Silva. When the victim told Alfredo Silva, the matter was settled, he punched Efrain Martinez.
Luis Martinez's girlfriend tried running for the back door, where a male subject reportedly said they weren't going anywhere, and "they needed to watch this," according to the police report. When she turned around, she allegedly saw Luis Martinez fighting with Alfredo Silva over a gun. The woman turned back, trying to get out the door, when she heard four or more shots. Luis Martinez was hit three times and stabbed.
After the shooting, the woman saw Juan Silva approaching Martinez and the other victim with a knife, according to the police report. She ran over, and started to use a choke hold on Juan Silva.