In a surprising turn of events, Texas prosecutors have dropped murder charges against two individuals involved in the 2020 killing of Marisela Botello-Valadez, a 23-year-old Seattle woman. The case gained international attention when the two suspects, who were out on bond, cut off their ankle monitors and fled the country. This decision comes at a critical time when questions about the use of technology in pre-trial release have been raised once again following a shooting rampage by another individual who had removed his ankle monitor.
The trial of Lisa Dykes, the third defendant still facing murder charges, began last week and is ongoing. However, newly released court records reveal that the charges against Nina Marano and Charles Anthony Beltran have been dismissed “in the interest of justice.” Both Marano and Beltran still face charges of tampering with evidence related to Botello-Valadez’s death. The reasons behind the dismissal have not been provided by the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office.
Lawyers representing Marano, Dykes, and Beltran have not responded to requests for comment. However, an attorney representing Marano and Dykes stated that the dismissals were expected due to inconsistencies in Beltran’s account of the events. Beltran, who testified during the trial, claimed that he lived with Marano and Dykes and had met Botello-Valadez at a nightclub. He alleged that they had consensual sexual relations at his house, but he woke up to screams as Dykes stabbed Botello-Valadez. Under cross-examination, Beltran admitted to initially lying to investigators.
The arrest of the three suspects occurred six months after Botello-Valadez went missing in October 2020. Marano and Dykes were released on $500,000 bonds but removed their GPS trackers and fled the country during Christmas time. After their escape, they were eventually apprehended in Cambodia with the assistance of local police and the FBI.
This case has drawn attention to the need for stricter monitoring of individuals released on bond, as another murder case in Dallas last year led to the enactment of a law making it a felony to cut off an ankle monitor. The new measure came into effect in September, but a recent tragedy involving a man who had removed his ankle monitor resulted in six deaths in Austin and San Antonio. The man, Shane James Jr., has now been charged with capital murder.
The dismissal of murder charges against two individuals involved in the high-profile killing of Marisela Botello-Valadez raises significant questions about the criminal justice system’s ability to ensure the safety of the public during pre-trial release. As the trial of Lisa Dykes continues, the outcome of this case will be closely watched by those concerned with the proper administration of justice.
