Pre-trial hearing set for man accused of murdering Freemason on video

MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The final pre-trial hearing date for the suspect in a deadly shooting outside of a McAllen Freemason lodge has been postponed to next year.

Julio Diaz, of Alamo, faces charges of murder and arson intended to damage a habitat/place of worship for fatally shooting Robert Wise, a Mission resident, on July 10, 2023, an indictment states.

On July 10, 2023, McAllen police received a report of a man who was shot in the face. When officers responded, they located the victim, identified as Wise, next to his pickup truck with multiple gunshot wounds.

A probable cause affidavit obtained by ValleyCentral states that surveillance video showed Diaz pull up in a black Chevrolet Blazer and fire multiple shots at Wise. The video showed Diaz holding a handgun in one hand and an electronic device in the other.

Police later learned that Diaz posted a video on his Instagram showing the murder as it was happening. Police also received a tip from a friend of Diaz’s, who said he sent him a message on social media admitting to the shooting.

Diaz was taken into custody and booked into the Hidalgo County Jail two days after the shooting, at which time his bond was set at $1,000,000.

In April, Diaz's competency to stand trial was brought into question when it was revealed by Lennard K. Whittaker, his defense attorney, that medical professionals in Mexico found a cyst in Diaz’s brain in 2019 after he complained of dizziness and tinnitus.

On May 3 it was decided that Diaz was fit to stand trial and that the court would move forward with his case.

Hidalgo County Records indicate Diaz final pre-trial hearing date is scheduled for Jan. 27, 2025. His trial is expected to begin next year.

Additionally, on Nov. 27, 2023, the family of Wise filed a lawsuit against the McAllen Freemason Lodge and its leaders, claiming negligence led to his death. The family is seeking more than $1 million in monetary relief.