BENTONVILLE — A Rogers man pleaded not guilty this morning to murder and other charges in connection with the killing of his estranged girlfriend.
Jose Alonso Torres, 26, is charged with capital murder and three counts of aggravated assault. He also faces the possibility of a longer sentence, if convicted, because the killing occurred in front of children.
Torres entered his plea before Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green.
Torres is accused of shooting and killing Norma Salinas, 24, while she sat in a Chevrolet Tahoe at a mobile home park on April 3 at North Bloomington Road and Fullerton Avenue in Lowell. She was pronounced dead at Mercy Hospital in Rogers.
Green appointed the Benton County Public Defenders Office to represent Torres.
Jay Saxton, Benton County’s chief public defender, said he had reviewed Torres’ rights with him and advised him of the minimum and maximum punishments. Saxton said Torres could face a death sentence for the capital murder charge, but prosecutors have not decided whether they will seek the death penalty.
Jong Shin, deputy prosecutor, said prosecutors will decide before Torres’ next court date on July 2 whether they will seek the death penalty.
Torres and Salinas had been in a relationship for five years, but family members told police Salinas had been trying to end it, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Torres was trying to get in the Tahoe, but the doors were locked, according to the affidavit. Ivan Salinas, Norma Salinas’ brother, told police he stepped in and told Torres to leave his sister alone, according to the affidavit.
Ivan Salinas said he attempted to push Torres away and Torres pulled out a gun with his right hand and pointed it at him before turning and firing one shot through the Tahoe’s passenger window, hitting his sister, according court documents. Ivan Salinas said he and Torres struggled over the weapon, but he slipped and Torres fired two more shots through the passenger window, according to the affidavit.
Areli Soto, Ivan Salinas’ girlfriend, told police she was in the driver’s seat of the Tahoe and Norma Salinas was sitting in the front passenger seat. Torres’ and Norma Salinas’ 1-year-old daughter was in the back seat, according to court documents.
Soto told police after Torres fired the gun, Norma Salinas turned to her and said, “He shot me,” according to court document.
Police were able to recover the gun they believe was used in the shooting, according to court documents.
Torres is being held without bond in the Benton County Jail.
