Rafael Orta Jr. (Source: Nacogdoches County Jail)LUFKIN, TX (KTRE) -
A second capital suspect in the February shooting death of Darnell
Bennett will stand trial for his part in the crime on Dec. 10.
Rafael
Orta, 20, of Lufkin, is still being held in the Angelina County on a charge of
capital murder by terroristic threat. His bond has been set at $1 million. His
charges also include a laundry list of misdemeanor and capias warrants.
Orta
appeared in an Angelina County court in August, so that his attorney, Jerry
Whiteker could file motions for the appointment of an investigator, an
investigation of the premises where the shooting occurred, and for the state to
designate experts.
Last
February, Orta and four other suspects were arrested in connection to Bennett's
murder. Lufkin Police detectives believe the five men went to Bennett's house
on California Boulevard intent on robbing him of marijuana.
One of
the other suspects, Jacob Woodard, admitted to shooting Bennett. In early
November, an Angelina County jury found Woodard guilty of capital murder and
sentenced him to life in prison.
The other
co-defendants in the case include: Jesus Vela, Osvaldo Hernandez, and Gerardo
Renteria. They will be tried at a later date.
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