FAYETTEVILLE -- A Springdale teen charged with first-degree murder and two counts of battery related to a fatal shooting in March has a new defense attorney and a new court date.
Hector Saul Ramos, 17, who was charged as an adult, appeared before Judge Joanna Taylor in Washington County Circuit Court on Tuesday. Ramos, who pleaded not guilty in May, is now represented by Paul Waddell.
Waddell told Taylor he recently was retained and needs time to review the case before deciding how to proceed. Taylor set another status hearing for Aug. 25.
Ramos' relatives were in the courtroom but weren't allowed to have any contact with him.
Ramos faces 10 to 40 years or life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder. The battery charges carry prison terms of five to 20 years. He's also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
The shooting early March 13 killed one teen and injured two other young people, Springdale police said.
Police found Fabian Rodriguez, 18, of 2406 Trudi Place, with a gunshot wound at 3:21 a.m. in the yard of 32 Applegate Drive. Rodriguez was taken to Northwest Medical Center-Springdale where he was pronounced dead.
Savannah Smith, 21, and a 14-year-old boy, both with gunshot wounds, arrived at the hospital shortly after the shooting, police said. Neither had life-threatening wounds.
Police said Ramos, who lived with his mother, told police he saw people outside his apartment "banging on the window and one was holding a machete," according to a news release. Ramos fired a gun through the window and hit two people, police said.
Ramos then chased them, firing more shots as the teens fled, police said. He also shot into a car where Smith was in the driver's seat, according to police.
A handgun was found in a drainage ditch near the apartment, and a machete was found near Rodriguez, according to police.
Springdale police have described the shooting as gang related.
Ramos is being held in the Washington County Juvenile Detention Center on a $250,000 bond. Ramos will continue to be held at the juvenile facility if he doesn't make bond, according to prosecutors.
Ramos previously was represented by the Washington County Public Defender's Office.
NW News on 06/10/2015