ORANGE, Texas — A man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for a 2022 murder.
Marquest Watson previously pleaded guilty to the murder of Uriel Alejandro Garcia-Salazar, 30, of Orange, and was sentenced by a jury. The sentenced was reached last Thursday, March 18, 2024.
In February 2022, police were sent to investigate a report of shots being fired in the 2900 block of 17th Street just before 8:40 p.m., according to a news release from the Orange Police Department.
Officers found Garcia-Salazar, who was later pronounced dead, unresponsive and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds according to the release.
Officers arrested Watson in connection with the fatal shooting according to a police report.
25 family members showed up to represent the family during the sentencing hearing. Prosecutor Reese Rhodes, ADA Prosecutor in 160rd District court told 12News it was the most people he's ever seen show up for the victim at a sentencing.
Watson remains in the Orange County Jail awaiting transfer to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
GET NEWS & WEATHER ALERTS | Download the 12News App to your mobile device
CRIME STOPPERS | Submit a tip @ 833Tips.com
CRIME STOPPERS APP | Download the P3 Tips App
If you have information about a crime you could earn a cash reward of up to $1000 by providing an ANONYMOUS tip to Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas.
Call 833-TIPS (8477) or download the P3Tips App on your mobile device to submit your tip anonymously.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
Send us a news tip | Download our app