Two Men Held Without Bond in Case of Slain 17-Year-Old
This article was published on Friday, January 5, 2007 1:43 PM CST in News
By Robin Mero

http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2007/ ... ondhrg.txt

BENTONVILLE — A judge ordered two men held without bond Friday morning in the Dec. 30 shooting death of Derrick Earl Jefferson, 17, of Centerton.

Erickson Dimas-Martinez, 21, is held on a charge of capital murder and Uris Galdamez Magana, 20, on a charge of accomplice to capital murder. They appeared at 10:30 a.m. before Benton County Circuit Judge David Clinger.

Defense attorneys requested certain portions of probable-cause affidavits be redacted, so Prosecutor Van Stone delayed releasing the documents until 1:30 p.m. Those should give more insight into events of that evening.

Police have said the men were acquainted with Jefferson and shot him while taking him home after a party in Springdale. Comments made during the hearing indicate they also believe an aggravated robbery led to the slaying.

Public Defender Jay Saxton was appointed to represent Dimas-Martinez. Saxton did not object to his client being held without bond.

Dimas-Martinez did not use an interpreter during the hearing, but one will be available when the men appear for arraignment Jan. 22.

Magana, whom Stone said appears to be an illegal immigrant, used an interpreter. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a hold on Magana. Marianne Hudson with the conflicts office of the Arkansas Public Defender Commission was appointed to represent him.

Hudson disagreed that Magana aided or abetted in the shooting. Citing the affidavit, Hudson said it was Dimas-Martinez who directed the victim to drive the car that night and remove his coat, she said.

Some girls were also present, and when Magana told them to get in the car it may have been for their safety.

“It appeared he didn’t want (the victim) to get shot ... he also cooperated with officers,” Hudson said.

But Stone argued that Magana pointed a knife at the girls when telling them what to do — and cleaned the murder weapon.

“There is also evidence he discussed the crime prior to it being committed,” Stone said.

Clinger agreed with Hudson that there may be some mitigating factors in Magana’s case. “And perhaps legal defenses — but there is sufficient evidence to hold him,” he said.
Reader Comments (5)

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illegal immigrant? wrote on January 05, 2007 1:55 PM:"NO way...illegal immigrants are only here to have a better life for their children!! GIVE ME A BREAK! We have enough of our own trash to deal with...we don't need Mexicos too!!"

Springdale Citizen wrote on January 05, 2007 1:58 PM:"The Judge made the right decision. NO BOND!"

snw wrote on January 05, 2007 2:17 PM:"Another example of a crime that could have been prevented if immigration laws were inforced. "

Cortes Freed Me wrote on January 05, 2007 2:46 PM:"If the roles were reversed in this shooting, it would have been labeled a hate crime. "

FED UP wrote on January 05, 2007 3:10 PM:"I'm shocked to find out that it was Hispanics that done this murder.NOT!! These people are nothing but a bunch of law breakers who should be rounded up and sent back where they came from."