Somerton murder suspects appear in court

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The two brothers, and one other suspect, accused of murdering a 27-year-old man in a Somerton neighborhood were formally charged today in court.

The mother of the victim requesting the highest bond possible for all three suspects.

“The defendant will be held in custody on a one-million dollar cash bond,” said Judge Juan Guerrero, South County Justice Court.

Over a month after Leo Melendez’s murder, two brothers, 32-year-old Joshua Escalante Cota and 21-year-old Gregorio Cota, as well as the third suspect 26-year-old Johnny Albert Valenzuela, were charged with one-count of first-degree murder.

The mother of the victim spoke out in court.

“The bullets that went through my son’s heart also went through mine," said Edith Martinez.

She says she is traumatized after her son’s murder and recalls when she found him in the garage after hearing gunshots.

The family is now seeking justice for his murder.

“This has caused trauma to my children, to his own children and my grandchildren are both traumatized by everything that has happened and has broken their hearts as well,” said Martinez.

The Cota brothers will be back in court Monday and the third suspect, Valenzuela, will return on Tuesday.