They are accused of a heinous crime, using both a knife and a gun to murder 33-year-old Celestino Zetina and then dumping the body. And tonight, police are saying the brutality of the crime wasn't motivated by revenge or robbery, rather just plain mischief. The 5 young men accused of the crime were charged late yesterday and this morning they had their first day in court. 22-year-old Trevor Avilez, 25-year-old Earl Clare, 30-year-old Andrew Williams, 18-year-old Austin Rowland, and 20 year old Steven Zelaya were individually arraigned on a charge of murder before Magistrate Dorothy Flowers.
It's a particularly brutal murder since a post mortem revealed that Zetina had been both shot and stabbed. Commander of the Criminal Investigations Branch Assistant Superintendent Chester Williams says there was no real motive, just plain "badness."
ASP Chester Williams, Commander C.I.B.
"The investigation subsequently led to the arrest of five individuals who were charged with the crime of murder in connection with the death of Mr. Zetina."
Keith Swift,
At this point have you guys determined a motive?
ASP Chester Williams,
"At this point in time the motive for that particular crime, I won't really say that there was a particular motive - it was just mischief; mischievous people.
Because of the state of decomposition that the body was in, we were unable to determine how many stab wounds or gunshot wounds he received. But from the autopsy results, it reveals that he was stabbed and he was shot. From the wounds that were visible it appeared to be a knife, a very small knife, and in terms of the gunshot injuries we cannot say what caliber of weapon but the shells that were found on the street side were 9 millimeter shells."
Keith Swift,
How did these guys choose Mr. Celestino Zetina or why did they choose him?
ASP Chester Williams,
"It was just something that came up between them. It was a misunderstanding between them on that particular night which led to his death but it was nothing that we can say is an old beef or revenge. At this point in time, no."
Keith Swift,
What led police to these give guys?
ASP Chester Williams,
"As I said the cooperation of the public led us to them and I must say thanks to the public for assisting us in our investigation."
Keith Swift,
We know that Mr. James Hyde was charged on Monday for kidnapping Celestino Zetina. What is the status of Mr. Hyde?
ASP Chester Williams,
"The investigation in relation to Mr. Hyde is still ongoing. We have a complaint that relates to him and the matter is still being investigated."
All 5 were denied bail and remanded to the Hattieville Prison until August 19th.