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Defense attorneys seek updates in Savannah Soto-Matthew Guerra capital murder case

DA’s Office has not made decision on whether to apply death penalty in case against Christopher Preciado

SAN ANTONIO – It’s been over a year since Savannah Soto and her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra, were found fatally shot in a vehicle at an apartment complex on the Northwest Side.

The crime was committed just before Christmas in 2023.

The defense attorneys on the case are now asking for updates from the prosecutors as no movement has been made for over a year.

Soto’s family first reported her missing when she didn’t show up at the hospital to be induced.

However, on Dec. 26, 2023, Soto and Guerra’s bodies were found in a car at an apartment complex in the 5900 block of Danny Kaye.

Days earlier, police said the couple was shot and killed after a drug deal went bad.

Christopher Preciado is charged with capital murder, and his parents, Ramon Preciado and Myrta Romanos, are also facing charges for allegedly helping him cover up the crime.

Since being indicted in this case, not much movement has happened.

Ramon Preciado and Myrta Romanos have had bond hearings, but Christoper Preciado has not even made one court appearance since being arrested.

On Monday, a docket hearing was to take place in the case, but nothing happened when the prosecutor wasn’t available. The judge told the defense she wanted everybody back Friday morning to figure out what was happening.

In court, Ramon Preciado was brought out and looked drastically different from when he was arrested.

He has had some health problems since being arrested, which he had reported discussing to the court during a bond hearing last year.

The other two defendants were not brought out. In fact, Christopher Preciado has not made one court appearance since being arrested.

The judge asked the attorneys for an update, and the defense attorneys said they may still need to complete some discovery on the case.

A schedule of when the cases would go to trial was also expected on Friday, but it couldn’t be made because not all discovery had been turned over.

Judge Jennifer Peña ordered they return for a hearing in April to have it all sorted out by then.

Christopher Preciado could possibly face the death penalty, but as of yet, the DA’s Office has not announced a decision on the case.

Related coverage on KSAT:

‘Perplexing scene’: Bodies found in car believed to be missing pregnant woman and boyfriend, police say

LATEST: What we know about the murders of pregnant teen Savanah Soto and boyfriend Matthew Guerra

Details emerge of how father-son duo allegedly killed, hid bodies of Savanah Soto, Matthew Guerra

READ AFFIDAVIT: Details emerge of how father-son duo allegedly killed, hid bodies of Savanah Soto, Matthew Guerra

READ AFFIDAVIT: Arrest warrant details involvement of third suspect in deaths of Savanah Soto, Matthew Guerra

Motion to reduce bond denied for second suspect in Savanah Soto, Matthew Guerra shooting deaths

Bond reduction denied for woman accused of hiding evidence in Savanah Soto, Matthew Guerra murders

‘It’s been rough & so hard’: Soto family seeks justice, honors Savanah Soto, Matthew Guerra 1 year after their murders


About the Authors
Erica Hernandez headshot

Erica Hernandez is an Emmy award-winning journalist with 15 years of experience in the broadcast news business. Erica has covered a wide array of stories all over Central and South Texas. She's currently the court reporter and cohost of the podcast Texas Crime Stories.

Misael Gomez headshot

Misael started at KSAT-TV as a photojournalist in 1987.

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