Suspect in UK student murder faces hearing

Roman+Gonzalez+Jr.+enters+a+suppression+hearing+for+the+Jonathan+Krueger+murder+trial+at+the+Fayette+Circuit+Court+in+Lexington+Kentucky+on+August+23%2C+2016.%C2%A0

Roman Gonzalez Jr. enters a suppression hearing for the Jonathan Krueger murder trial at the Fayette Circuit Court in Lexington Kentucky on August 23, 2016. 

On Tuesday, a defendant in the murder of Jonathan Krueger went to Fayette County Circuit Court. 

Roman Gonzales, Jr. was called to court for a suppression hearing. Gonzales is one of three defendants in Kruger’s murder. 

Krueger was murdered at about 2 a.m. on April 17, 2015 while walking on East Maxwell with his friend Aaron Gilette. Police said a red or maroon van with a sliding door pulled up to Krueger and Gilette, and two individuals from the van jumped out with handguns.

In court on Tuesday, Lexington Police Detective Reid Bowles said a pick-up order was issued for Gonzales after the initial investigation on April 17. 

A pick-up order is similar to a warrant but issued for suspects under 18. Gonzales was 17 at the time of the murder. Bowles said Gonzales’ picture and information was included in patrol briefings during that time. 

Police initially looked for Gonzales at his last known address, which was his parents’ home on Sutton Place. Police observed the home on April 17, 2015. Three detectives and a patrolman of the Lexington Police Department testified in court that no contact was made at the residence and neighbors said Gonzales’ parents were out of town. 

Bowles testified that Gonzales was found on April 20, 2015 at a residence on Chantilly Street. Gonzales was taken to police headquarters for questioning that afternoon. He was wanted for violating his parole in addition to the murder and robbery on April 17, 2015. 

The prosecution introduced a one hour and 36 minute video of the interview to the court. In the interview, Gonzales said the Chantilly Street residence was owned by his friend. 

The earlier part of the video shows Bowles reading Gonzales his rights and explaining them again for a second time. 

The video also shows that Bowles asked Gonzales where his parents were. 

Gonzales said he had not had contact with his parents or went to school since January 2014 in the video. Bowles asked if Gonzales had another next of kin during the interview. Gonzales said he had a half-sister named Gracie and gave a general location of where she lived, but did not provide the detective with a number or last name. 

The interview video showed detectives trying to ask questions about Gonzales’ involvement in the murder. He mostly answered with variations of “I don’t know,” and would not tell his version of the story to police. 

At the end of the interview, Gonzales ultimately decided to wait for a lawyer and was checked into the Fayette Regional Juvenile Detention Center. 

Following the video, defense for Gonzales asked Bowles if he notified the Cabinet for Social Services or the Department for Juvenile Justice, as a Kentucky law states should happen after no family members can be found. Bowles said he contacted the city government during the interview. 

The defense made a motion to submit a written argument by Sept. 23. The prosecution must respond by Oct. 7. The next status hearing for Gonzales will be held on Oct. 14.