Ninth Judicial District Attorney Matthew Chandler announced today that Edward Salas, age 23, was convicted today by a Clovis jury as an Accessory to the September 15, 2005 shooting death of 10 year old Carlos Perez.   According to the jury verdicts, Edward Salas was found guilty of First Degree Murder of Carlos Perez, Attempted Murder of Ruben Perez, Shooting into a Dwelling, Intimidation of a State’s Witness, Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Conspiracy of to Commit Shooting into an Occupied Dwelling. 

 

During the trial it was proven that on September 14, 2005, that Orlando Salas, age 15, wanted to fight Ruben Perez, age 17, at the Clovis High School.  The fight never happened, but Orlando Salas recruited his older brothers Demetrio Salas and Edward Salas, who along with David Griego and Noe Torres (still at large) began to search for Ruben Perez.  In the early morning hours of September 15, 2005, the defendants found Ruben Perez’s apartment in Clovis and together fired nine rounds into Carlos and Ruben’s bedroom window.  Although Ruben was unharmed by the shooting, one bullet struck Ruben’s brother, Carlos Perez, in the head.  Carlos Perez was pronounced dead the same day.  

 

The Clovis Police Department and the Major Crimes Unit of the Ninth Judicial District investigated the case and placed Demetrio Salas, Edward Salas, and Orlando Salas under arrest on September 15, 2005, and David Griego was placed under arrest by the Albuquerque Police Department on June 9, 2006.  Noe Torres remains at large and wanted for murder.

 

In 2006, Orlando Salas pled guilty to Accessory to First Degree Murder, Attempted Murder, and Tampering with Evidence for his role in the shooting.  In October of 2007, Demetrio Salas was found guilty by a jury of the Murder of Carlos Perez, Attempted Murder of Ruben Perez, Shooting into a Dwelling, Intimidation of a Witness and Tampering with Evidence.  Demetrio Salas was sentenced to life plus 17 years.  David Griego has also been found guilty by a jury of Accessory to Murder and was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

 

Following the announcement of the verdicts, Judge Teddy Hartley ordered a pre-sentence report for Edward Salas. Upon the completion of the report the defendant will sentenced.  Edward Salas faces a minimum sentence of life in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison plus 52 years for his convictions. District Attorney Matthew Chandler, Chief Deputy Andrea Reeb and Deputy District Attorney Fred Van Soelen prosecuted the case for the State of New Mexico.  For additional information, please contact the Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office