CNJ staff
Randall Harris, attorney for homicide suspect Louis Guerra, released a statement Thursday saying his client is innocent of all crimes resulting from the April 13 shooting and subsequent death of Daniel Perez, 26, of Clovis.
Perez died April 19, six days after the shooting that took place in the 900 block of South Valley Road.
Guerra, 30, has been charged with an open count of murder, which Curry County Sheriff’s investigators have termed gang related.
An affidavit filed by investigators alleges that about five hours before the shooting April 13, Guerra and Perez were involved in a fight at the Clovis Apartments in the 1000 block of Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard.
“In this case, law enforcement has attempted to build a case around an individual they believe may be involved in this incident, rather than allowing the evidence to direct the outcome,” Harris said in his release. “Any and all statements released to the press and published at this juncture from members of law enforcement that already convict Mr. Guerra are both unethical and unprofessional …
“When a jury hears the actual testimony and reviews exhibits, they will undoubtedly reach the conclusion that Mr. Guerra is innocent of these allegations beyond any reasonable doubt.”
Harris declined further comment.
