Defendant seeks to bar gang subplot from trial

 Hector Vega
Hector Vega

FAYETTEVILLE -- One of two men accused of shooting and wounding a 14-year-old boy in Springdale last year is asking the judge to bar any evidence related to his suspected gang association or activities from his trial because such information could prejudice the jury against him.

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Hector Torres Vega, 21, of Lowell pleaded innocent in Washington County Circuit Court in July to attempted capital murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm and engaging in a continuing criminal gang, organization or enterprise. Vega's case is set for trial beginning July 13 in Circuit Judge Joanna Taylor's court.

The boy had stopped at a corner when a car drove up and a man with a gun got out and approached him, according to court records. The boy was shot in his legs and left hand. Police found two .45-caliber shell casings at the scene.

Police accused Vega of getting out of a silver vehicle driven by Jose Yanez, 18, of Rogers and shooting the boy.

Witnesses said they saw the silver vehicle at the shooting and at a fight that had broken out minutes before at the Kum & Go convenience store at 1010 N. Thompson St., according to police reports.

Police said the fight between two rival gangs and the shooting were related.

Vega's attorney, Mike Roberson, filed the gang-related motion Tuesday along with a motion to exclude evidence of the fight. The motion argues references to the fight would confuse and mislead jurors and the state is not alleging the victim was a participant in the fight or that he was even at the the gas station when the fight occurred.

Yanez pleaded innocent in July to being an accomplice to attempted capital murder, two counts of aggravated assault and engaging in a continuing criminal gang, organization or enterprise. He is awaiting trial.

Attempted capital murder is punishable by 10 to 40 years or life in prison.

Vega and Yanez are being held at the Washington County jail in lieu of $200,000 bond each.

Metro on 06/29/2016

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