.gif)
COLUMBUS — The circumstances behind the death of county resident Keaton Hancock has been partially revealed after county prosecutors successfully proved Jose “Joey” Casanova to be guilty of murder in the incident.
With an official guilty verdict, Casanova now awaits his sentencing hearing that is set for April 11.
The Eagle Lake resident had been in custody due to his connection with a double murder on Sept. 10 that resulted in the deaths of Hancock and Jonathon Segura, a fellow Eagle Lake resident.
County prosecutors argued that Hancock’s killing was in retaliation to the murder of Jonathon Segura just an hour prior to the incident.
The investigation into Casanova began with several issued warrants to investigate potential suspects. The initial warrant was for illegal possession of a firearm for a felon.
After a short delay at the beginning of Casanova’s court case due to a missing witness, the trial continued as scheduled and resulted in Casanova’s guilty verdict.
There are several other names included in those initial warrants that will be on trial for their respective involvement in the double murder of Hancock and Segura.
Daegan Mendoza, the first suspect to turn himself in, is allegedly connected to the death of Segura for the initial murder that led to the retaliation. According to court dockets, Mendoza will begin his trial on March 18 for several charges including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and deadly conduct with a firearm.
Dontrae Johnson has already received his sentence for his role in the murder of Segura. Johnson received a 2nd-degree felony for a 12-year sentence with 484 days in jail before the trial.
Dante Stevens was arrested in connection with Mendoza for his role in Segura’s death. Along with the assault charges, Stevens has also been charged with capital murder. Stevens’s jury trial begins July 15.
Ethan Dulany also has an alleged connection to the murder as his docket contains a murder charge along with aggravated robbery. Dulany’s initial warrant was for interfering with public duties and rioting before further investigation led to the addition of the murder charge.
Cairo Ruvalcaba begins his trial on March 27 at 9 a.m. for his alleged connection as well.
As trials continue, further details surrounding the double murder of Hancock and Segura will be released.
