Trial nears for Pharr brothers accused of killing stepfather

PHARR, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The trial for two Pharr brothers who allegedly killed their stepfather, who was accused of sexually assaulting a family member, is nearing a trial date.

Christian Trevino, 19, and Alejandro Trevino, 20, are facing charges in connection to the killing of 43-year-old Gabriel Quintanilla.

Christian is facing charges of capital murder, aggravated assault and engaging in organized crime. His older brother, Alejandro, is only facing the aggravated assault and engaging in organized crime charges.

Christian Trevino (Pharr PD)

Alejandro Trevino (Hidalgo County Jail)

Juan Eduardo Melendez (Hidalgo County Jail)

The two are scheduled for a joint-trial in September, but a hearing was held Wednesday morning where the legal teams discussed moving the court date up to August.

A friend of the brothers, 21-year-old Juan Eduardo Melendez, is also facing a capital murder charge in connection to the killing.

Background

The group was charged after Quintanilla's body was discovered on Jan. 20 in a field in McAllen. Police said that a younger relative had accused Quintanilla of sexual assault. When the brothers learned of this, they "became enraged" confronted Quintanilla, which led to a physical fight, a news release stated.

The two were later joined by Melendez, who also participated in a second assault of Quintanilla outside of an apartment complex by Lyndon and Coyote Streets in Pharr, police said.

Christian and Melendez then dropped off Alejandro at his home, and found Quintanilla walking southbound on Veterans Road, severely injured. The two then began assaulting Quintanilla a third time until he was unconscious, according to police.

The two allegedly placed Quintanilla in the bed of their truck and took him to McColl and Whalen Road in McAllen, before he was dropped off in a field where he was later found dead.

"Investigation revealed the victim was beaten with brass knuckles and suffered severe head trauma," the Pharr news release stated. "Although the victim was severely beaten, the victim may have still been alive when he was dropped off in McAllen."

At a press conference days later, Pharr police said that Quintanilla had a separate warrant for continuous sexual assault of a child, which dated back to 2019.

The case was the subject of national headlines, with a petition on Change.org garnering 727,184 signatures calling for the trio to be freed.

Another hearing will be held Monday for the brothers to determine whether the case can be pushed forward.

Melendez has a separate trial hearing scheduled for Aug. 12.