Perez faces murder trial
By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER
A Lockhart man accused of a brutal murder was indicted by a Caldwell County Grand Jury last week.
According to Caldwell County District Attorney Trey Hicks, the Grand Jury returned an indictment on Wednesday, Aug. 17, against 41-year-old Michael Anthony Perez in connection with the May 2011 death of his paramour, Ang
ie Mendez.
Mendez, 36, died in an area hospital on May 23 after witnesses said she and Perez were involved in a squabble that turned violent the evening before.
At the time of the incident, an investigation revealed that Mendez and Perez spent time at a local club drinking beer. The pair missed their ride home, an event which allegedly sparked the violent outburst.
Mendez reportedly told witnesses that on their walk to her home, Perez pushed her to the ground and “made [her] eat dirt.”
Her condition deteriorated throughout that night, until family members finally contacted EMS the next day and had her taken to the hospital.
Doctors said the mother of three died from injuries that appeared to have been sustained in an altercation, including acute swelling of the brain and a variety of internal abdominal lacerations.
At the time Perez’s arrest in May, the Lockhart Police Department said he had an extensive criminal background including felony-level drug charges.
Under the Texas Penal Code, an individual can be found guilty of murder if the evidence proves he or she knowingly intentionally causes the death of an individual, or intends to cause serious bodily injury and commits an act clearly dangerous to human life that causes the death of an individual. If convicted of murder, Perez faces between five and 99 years in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000.
It is terribly sad and grieving to know that a life was taken in such a horrible act of violence. There are people who have lost on both sides of this situation. Although no loss can compare to the loss of a loved one whom will never be seen again..this family has lost their mother, daughter, sister and friend. On the other side there is a family who has lost a father, son, brother and friend due to an act of violence that I am sure was never intended to turn into murder. May the Lord heal the broken hearts and bring peace to everyone affected by the senseless act and violent crime.