Bail Set At $200,000 In Coach's Murder
Robert A. Suarez appeared in Benton County superior court in Kennewick Friday morning and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of first-degree felony murder.
Outside the courtroom, his mother tearfully told KOMO 4 News, "This is not my son. I cannot believe that he did what they say he did," said Majorie Suarez. She said it was terrible what happened to the family of Bob Mars, the teacher who was killed Sunday.
Prosecutors say the murder was committed by 14-year-old Jordan E. Castillo as part of a gang initiation. They allege that Suarez was the one that "jumped in" Castillo or, in layman's terms, was Castillo's sponsor in the gang.
Prosecutors also said that Suarez travelled with Castillo from Kennewick to Benton City where the murder occurred.
"Mr. Castillo did have tattooing on the web of his hand the very next day after the homicide. That tattoo is consistent with the gang he was being initiated into," said Benton County Sheriff Larry Taylor.
"The evidence indicates that Mr. Castillo is the one who actually did the stabbing, whereas Mr. Suarez was an accomplice to the robbery," said Prosecutor Andy Miller. "Under the felony murder rule he is still guilty of murder in the first degree."
Also in the courtroom today was Candy Suarez, the 13-year-old sister of Robert. "If anybody knew my brother as I know him -- as my friends know him, they would know he has a really big heart, not capable of anything like this," she said.
"This is a tragedy you would never dream of happening to your family," said Robert's grandmother, Roberta Machado. Prosecutors say Machado gave Robert and Castillo a ride back from Benton City after the two allegedly killed mars. "The loss for the Mars family and now the loss for ours, is not understandable. Robert has a heart as big as the moon," Machado said.
Benton County superior court Judge Vick Vanderschoor set a trial date of October 11. Under Washington State law, a 16-year-old accused of crimes of violence such as murder is automatically tried as an adult.
Miller will ask the juvenile court to remand the younger boy,Jordan Castillo, for trial as an adult. That decision has not yet been made.