Prosecutors to seek death penalty in slaying of couple

Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty against a man charged in the execution-style slaying of two people.

In court papers filed this week, prosecutors pointed to previous felony convictions of Marcial Manuel Casarez, who authorities said shot and killed Jamel Colbert and Shelby Robinson in November after drug and prostitution deals gone awry.

Casarez, who has several convictions in Nevada and California, pleaded guilty in federal court in 2010 to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Casarez, 36, has pleaded not guilty to murder with use of a deadly weapon, first-degree kidnapping, robbery with use of a deadly weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery in connection with the slayings.

Prosecutors have said they likely will not seek the death penalty against his co-defendant, 24-year-old Sergio Davila, who faces the same charges.

Casarez, who also goes by "Crook," had made drug deals with Colbert, 32, before the killings and was going to sell him $200 worth of methamphetamine.

Colbert gave Robinson a black revolver and sent her to Casarez's apartment in the 2100 block of Sunrise Avenue, near 21st Street, according to police. "'Crook' became upset" when he found the gun in Robinson's purse and thought she was going to rob him, police said.

Rifle in hand, Casarez led Colbert and Robinson outside at gunpoint, forced them into a tan-colored 2005 Hyundai Elantra and ordered another man to drive to a nearby alley.

Casarez shot Robinson "at least 10 times" in the backseat, turned the rifle on Colbert in the passenger seat and fired multiple rounds through the window, police said.

Contact David Ferrara at dferrara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039. Find him on Twitter: @randompoker