As El Pasoans gather for the fifth anniversary of the Aug. 3, 2019, mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart, the state of Texas’ death penalty case against the gunman continues to languish in legal maneuvering and a judge’s gag order.
The case has been delayed in state court for several reasons, mainly because state prosecutors and defense attorneys are continuing a years-long battle over how to handle the massive amount of evidence in the case.
The gunman, Patrick Crusius of Allen, Texas , faces one count of capital murder of multiple persons and 22 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks is seeking the death penalty. A trial date has not been set in state court.
The mass shooting resulted in 23 people fatally shot and dozens more injured . A white supremacist, who is already convicted and sentenced in federal court, targeted Mexicans in El Paso as shoppers were out for what was a peaceful Saturday shopping trip.
More: 5 years later: Events to honor the 23 lives lost in El Paso Walmart mass shooting