BENTONVILLE -- A man was sentenced to 30 years in prison March 17 after admitting to killing his co-worker.
Martin Tavarez-Torres, 23, of Benton County was charged with capital murder, but he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder as part of plea bargain.
Tavarez-Torres killed Fidel Mercado Reyes. Reyes was pronounced dead Nov. 10, 2021, at Siloam Springs Regional Hospital. He was shot once in the back of the head, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Reyes was a cook at La Huerta in Gentry where the murder took place. Restaurant staff told police the shooter was the nephew of the owner and had started working there that week, according to the affidavit.
Another restaurant employee told police she heard what sounded like an explosion in the kitchen, according to the affidavit. She said Tavarez-Torres ran past her and out the door, and then she saw Reyes lying on the floor, according to the affidavit.
Tavarez-Torres fled the scene in his pickup. He was arrested in Fayetteville after police learned his brother lived there, according to the affidavit.
Marlenne Navarette-Flores, Reyes' sister-in-law, told police she believed the shooting may have been over a slot machine ticket Reyes won at Cherokee Casino in West Siloam Springs, Okla., according to the affidavit. Police found the winning ticket in Reyes' jacket at the restaurant, according to the affidavit.
Thomas Gean, Benton County deputy prosecutor, told Benton County Circuit Robin Green the victim's family and law enforcement did not object to the plea agreement. Gean said the family did not wish to provide impact statements.
Green wanted to know Tavarez-Torres' reason for killing Reyes.
"I don't want to talk about that," Tavarez-Torres said through an interpreter.
Green asked Jay Saxton, Tavarez-Torres' attorney, whether the motive was over a gambling ticket.
Saxton said he believed he would be violating attorney client privilege if he answered.
Green said it appears to be "cold-blooded murder," and she was curious about the motive.
"It just happened really fast," Tavarez-Torres said.
Green sentenced Tavarez-Torres to 30 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
The judge asked Tavarez-Torres if had anything to say to the family.
"No, forgive me," Tavarez-Torres said. "That's all. I would like to wish for some forgiveness."