North Texas law enforcement agencies searching for murder suspect who removed ankle monitor
The sheriff's departments in Kaufman and Van Zandt counties are among the law enforcement agencies searching for a murder suspect who was set to go on trial Monday, but removed his ankle monitor.
The Van Zandt County sheriff's office said in a news release Monday morning that deputies were searching for Trevor McEuen, who was charged with capital murder in neighboring Kaufman County. He was scheduled to go on trial on Monday.
Kaufman County's criminal district attorney said in a statement that McEuen removed his court-ordered ankle monitor at 5:33 a.m. and left his residence.
McEuen faces charges in the death of Aaron Martinez, who was shot and killed in May of 2023.
"We are continuing to monitor developments from law enforcement. I will say that our client has always maintained his innocence. We hope for a peaceful resolution in this matter," McEuen's lead defense attorney Jose Noriega said in response to a request for comment.
Deputies were looking for McEuen near US Highway 80 east of Grand Saline, about 65 miles east of Dallas. Court records show he McEuen was largely confined to a home in that area as part of his bond conditions. Video from CBS News Texas Chopper showed at least a dozen law enforcement officers and vehicles in the area.
The death of Aaron Martinez
Relatives told CBS News Texas after his death that Martinez moved to Forney to open a horse training ranch. His new neighbor, McEuen, told Martinez that Hispanics were not welcome, the relatives said.
Incident reports showed that Martinez had safety concerns dating back to at least July of 2022, when he told police that McEuen pointed a gun at him, fired at his property and threatened his employees. He didn't pursue charges.
McEuen's father later told police Martinez had also shot guns in their direction, which Martinez's father denied. Arrest documents showed that McEuen admitted to killing Martinez.
McEuen was initially arrested for murder in May of 2023 and held on a $2 million bond. Later that month, a judge held a bond reduction hearing and at some point later, he posted bond and was released.
In November of 2023, a Kaufman County grand jury indicted McEuen for capital murder and he was arrested again.
On September 6, 2024, court records show McEuen was released from jail on a $1 million bond. The judge imposed numerous restrictions on McEuen during pre-trial release, including a prohibition on contacting Martinez's relatives and going within 200 yards of them.
Five days later, McEuen allegedly violated his bond by posting pictures of Martinez and two of Martinez's relatives to his Instagram account. Court documents allege McEuen also threatened to shoot the uncle.
On September 17, 2024, a judge raised McEuen's bond to $2 million, and he was jailed again. Noriega said McEuen posted bond in mid-December.