Nearly 200,000 people have signed a petition on Change.org to free the two brothers and their friend in Pharr, TX who are accused of killing their stepfather after he allegedly sexually abused their sister.
Alejandro Trevino, 18, Christian Trevino, 17, and Juan Eduardo Melendez, 18, are facing charges in the death of Gabriel Quintanilla, 42, who was found in a field in McAllen on Jan. 20.
Alejandro Trevino was charged with aggravated assault and engaging in organized criminal activity charges. His brother and their friend were both charged with capital murder and aggravated assault.
“When brothers Alexandro and Christian Trevino found out, they became enraged and confronted Gabriel Quintanilla at the residence. A physical fight ensued between the three and the victim Quintanilla left the location on foot,” according to a news release from the Pharr Police Department.
Texas resident Carlos Eduardo Espina started the viral petition and directed it towards Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
"The three teenagers are currently in custody and have their bonds set at over 1 million dollars each. If convicted of capital murder, they face a minimum sentence of life imprisonment without parole," Espina said.
"We ask that the state of Texas to release these teenagers, who could possibly spend the rest of their life in prison for protecting their sister."
There was also an arrest warrant in an unrelated case for continuous sexual assault of a child and assault family violence against Quintanilla, according to Pharr police.
"This investigation was complex having multiple scenes. I am proud of how our detectives were able to put the pieces together in such a short time," Pharr police Chief Andy Harvey said in a statement.
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