Gag order issued in accused El Paso Walmart mass shooter case Patrick Crusius

By Edward Era Barbacena

The judge in the Walmart shooter case issued a gag order at a status hearing this morning. Judge Sam Medrano of the 409th District Court scolded District Attorney Yvonne Rosales for talking through to the media on several occasions about the Patrick Crusius case. Crusius is the accused Cielo Vista Walmart shooter. He is accused of shooting and killing 23 people and injuring more in 2019.

Judge Medrano filed the order days after the district attorney’s office had issued a statement about the case Monday and held a press conference weeks before that.

Monday’s statement from the DA’s office said she hopes it will be scheduled for Summer 2023 but only courts can set court dates.

In the statement, Rosales also reaffirmed that her office is planning to seek the death penalty.

Last week, a federal judge the jury selection for the alleged shooter is scheduled for January 2024 with trial beginning soon after.

EL PASO, Texas -- A status hearing in the case of the alleged Walmart shooter is scheduled for this morning. Patrick Crusius is accused of shooting and killing 23 people and injuring more at the Cielo Vista Walmart in August 2019.

The hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the 409th District Court.

On Monday, the district attorney, Yvonne Rosales, announced a target date for the state trial for Crusius. She hopes it will be scheduled for Summer 2023 but only courts can set court dates.

Crusius is presently under federal custody in the El Paso County Jail. He is not expected to be in court today.

Rosales also reaffirmed that her office is planning to seek the death penalty.

Last week, a federal judge said the jury selection for the alleged shooter is scheduled for January 2024 with trial beginning soon after.