Suspects in Winterhaven murder appear in court

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) - The defendants charged in the torture and murder of a Yuma man in Winterhaven were back in an Imperial County courtroom Monday.

42-year-old Gabriel Mills Sr., 21-year-old Gabriel Mills Jr., 35-year-old Daniel Martinez and 21-year-old Sadie Hiatt faced Judge Monica Lepe-Negrete for a scheduled pre-trial hearing.

They were arrested following the November 2024 murder of 23-year-old Jacob Sims, and have pleaded not guilty back in March of this year.

The case was continued because the defense is still waiting for additional evidence to be turned over to them from prosecutors.

The defendants are expected back in court on July 21 for a possible trial setting hearing.