The article doesn't state the suspect's immigration status, but the fact that he fled to Mexico and tried to re-enter without ID gives a good indication.

Slaying suspect charged
By David Castellon
dcastell@visalia.gannett.com

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A 17-year-old boy accused of fatally stabbing a Visalia group-home supervisor dozens of times last summer has been charged with murder and other crimes and will be tried as an adult.

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Police say Marco Antonio Navarro fled the Pecan House group home following the June 24 killing of Tony Jimenez, 51.

Visalia police said Jimenez and Navarro had been arguing in the front yard of the home in the 2400 block of West Pecan Court.

Prosecutors on Friday would not disclose details about the killing, except to say that Jimenez was stabbed more than 40 times.

He was a married and the father of five.

Navarro also faces a charge of witness intimidation. Deputy District Attorney David Alavezos said that before Navarro fled, he tried to get witnesses not to give statements.

Alavezos would not say whether Navarro threatened other youths in the group home.

Police reported that Jimenez had sent the other boys to bed before the altercation with Navarro.

They also said Navarro fled in the group home’s van — leading to a charge of grand theft auto — and went to Mexico.

Alavezos said he didn’t know where the boy was living or what he was doing in Mexico before he tried to cross the border back into the United States earlier this week.

He was stopped at the San Ysidro crossing by Department of Homeland Security personnel because he had no identification.

Authorities have not said why Navarro might have been heading to the United States.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges Thursday, and he was being held Friday in the Tulare County Juvenile Detention Facility on $1 million bail.

A preliminary hearing for Navarro has been set for Nov. 2, with a confirmation hearing Oct. 31.


http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/apps/p ... 1/71027001