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Man guilty of murder in random baseball bat attack
UPDATE: A Travis County jury has found Carlo Ramon Comparan guilty of murder in the June 2007 baseball bat attack of Michael Riojas, state District Judge Julie Kocurek said. The jury deliberated for about four hours. The sentencing phase of the trial will begin this afternoon, Kocurek said. Comparan, 30, faces up to life in prison.
EARLIER:
A Travis County jury began deliberating this morning in the murder case of Carlo Ramon Comparan, accused of randomly attacking a man with a baseball bat as the man walked home from a bar last year.
Michael Riojas, 27, suffered serious brain injury in the June 20, 2007, attack and died of complications from his injury about three months later.
Comparan, 30, pleaded not guilty during the trial in state District Judge Julie Kocurek’s court. His lawyer, Joe James Sawyer, suggested to the jury that a co-defendant, Jose Flores, caused the injuries that killed Riojas.
But prosecutors told the jury the evidence is clear that it was Comparan who used a wooden Louisville Slugger bat to hit Riojas while he walked on the Interstate 35 frontage road. With little physical evidence tying Comparan to the killing, their case was based on the statements of two people with Comparan that night — Flores and Camparan’s girlfriend, Patricia Trevino.
Riojas spent the night drinking with friends at Merkaba Lounge & Grill, on the I-35 south frontage between Wells Branch Parkway and Howard Lane, according to court documents.
He left the bar when it closed about 2 a.m. and while walking to his father’s house nearby he called his girlfriend in California, a police affidavit said.
During that conversation, Riojas’ girlfriend, Shelby Kirby, said she told Riojas that she was afraid that he was alone, prosecutor Karen Sage said during closing arguments.
“Michael tells Shelby … ‘I am not alone,’” Sage recalled. “’There is somebody right there.”
Then, according to Sage, Riojas then said something like “Good day to you, sir.”
At that point Comparan attacked Riojas with the bat, Sage argued.
She noted that Flores, 31, testified he saw one swing. Later, Sage noted, Comparan told Flores that he hit Riojas twice. Flores testified that Comparan was high on cocaine at the time.
At about 7:30 a.m., employees of a nearby business — Andy Howard’s Pest Control — found Riojas. He had removed his T-shirt and used it in an attempt to stop the bleeding from the back of his head.
Flores is also charged with murder but under a deal with prosecutors, his testimony during Comparan’s trial may not be used at his own trial.
The case was cold until October 2007, a month after Riojas died, when Trevino called 311 and reported to have information on Riojas’ death. She eventually told Travis County Sheriff’s Office Detective Scott Crowe that she was with Comparan, her boyfriend, and Flores the night Riojas was attacked, according to a police affidavit.
Trevino told Crowe that after the trio left a pool hall that night, Comparan pulled into a Valero gas station after seeing Riojas walking on the frontage road, according to a police affidavit.
Comparan, who had a baseball bat, and Flores got out and walked towards Riojas, said Trevino, who soon heard Comparan and Flores yelling at Riojas and then heard the sound of a bat striking Riojas, the affidavit said.
Trevino told Crowe that during the drive to Flores’ house after the attack, Comparan stated that he hit Riojas with a bat and then Comparan broke Riojas’ cell phone and threw it out the window.
Trevino was called to testify but told the jury she did not recall much from that night. The jury, though, learned of her previous statements.
During closing arguments, Sage said that taking Riojas’ phone sealed his fate, noting medical testimony that his injury may not have been fatal if medical aide was immediately administered.
“He could have pressed redial and asked Shelby to call 911,” Sage said. “And there would have been an ambulance there in a minute. “
Permalink | Comments (21) | Post your comment Categories: Murder trials
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By carlo r comparan jr
October 3, 2010 12:09 AM | Link to this
carlo is my dad and flores is my second cousin. my dad did not hit michael. knowing my cousin, i am POSOTIVE that FLORES hit him. my dad was checking on his sick girlfriend. they all decided to blame him 1. because pattricia thaught he was cheating. and 2. to keep flores out of prison. my email is CARLOCOMPARAN@YAHOO.COM… send an email for more info…..
By carlo r comparan jr
October 3, 2010 12:08 AM | Link to this
carlo is my dad and flores is my second cousin. my dad did not hit michael. knowing my cousin, i am POSOTIVE that FLORES hit him. my dad was checking on his sick girlfriend. they all decided to blame him 1. because pattricia thaught he was cheating. and 2. to keep flores out of prison. my email is CARLOCOMPARAN@YAHOO.COM… send an email for more info…..
By Anony
July 8, 2010 12:08 PM | Link to this
Jose Luis Flores, a first degree black belt, struck Riojas with the bat. DA Sage struck a deal with Flores and Flores turned testimony around and shifted blame to Comparan. Flores had been in a heated argument at Slick Willys over on Wells Branch. Flores asked Comparan to pick him up and take him home. On the way home, Comparan pulled over at the Valero to check on his wife who was sick. Flores, shirtless, grabbed a bat and started walking on the frontage roadback to Slick Willys. As Riojas passed Flrores up on the frontage road, he greeted Flores. Flores, in an angry and drunken state, took offense and struck Riojas twice. Flores first struck Riojas on his side, where he had his phone, thereby quickly ending the conversation with his girlfriend, and upon stumbling, Flores once again struck Riojas on the top of his head. Comparan, unaware of what was happening, ran through a field to catch up to Flores. By then, the incident had taken place. Riojas was still standing when Comparan left, whod thought Riojas was ok. Comparan took Flrors back to his vehicle and home. Comparan drove by the scene once again to check on Riojas who had walked somewhere else. Flores bragged about the incident several times while drunk. Several people have heard the story. Sheriff Greg Hamilton has been informed of these facts, yet he has not investigated further. An in depth review of the evidence and a plea for help from the public who witnessed the incident and heard Flores talk about the incident would put Flores behind bars.
By Jad
November 26, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
I still can’t believe Michael is gone. Weird. I would like to say thank you and good job to all the people involved in this case. I’m so glad they caught the cowards. We all know if they wouldnt have blindsided him he would have whooped their butts and would still be here. What a couple of wimps. 2 on 1 with a bat and they still had to sneak up on him from behind. Sorry but this just pisses me off. My heart goes out to Mike’s family and Shelby. I truly miss you dude, we all do. See you on the flip side brother.
By Karley Kirby
November 23, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
My sister is Shelby Kirby and I can tell you that this man, by far, deserves the death penalty. For all the pain he has put my family and Michael’s family through he deserves it a thousand times over. I can tell you from first hand that Michael was the sweetest person you could ever come across. He was sweet and had the best of manners. I stayed with them from time to time and he was nothing but kind and welcoming to me. He and my sister WERE going to spend the rest of their lives together. I live everyday in remembrance of his smile and how quickly he had made some recovery only to be taken away once again. Now, he’s gone forever just because this pathetic piece of trash decided to “take him down.”
I have lost faith in people because this was nothing other than a chauvinistic scumbag trying to prove he was in some way, a man. I hope he rots.
Sorry for anyone that gets offended by this, but seriously? My sister’s fiance? My soon to be brother in law? You can understand why I’m pissed.
I love you Michael! I miss you terribly. I’m just so happy I got to see you that day at the BBQ… you were doing so well. Keep making me proud up there and watch over Shelby for me, she needs it now more than ever. <3
By jcb
November 21, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
How does this undoubtedly guilty SOB not get the death penalty? And how do prosecutors put innocent people on death row and this guy doesn’t end up there?? The scum-bag girlfriend should spent time behind bars as well for not coming forward until she got made at the defendant. There is a special place in hell for these *******. I only pray he becomes someone’s ***** and gets what is coming to him…( anyone that gets wind of this behind bars). Unfortunately reflecting on your wrongful past deeds does no good for people without a conscience.
By jcb
November 21, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
How does this undoubtedly guilty SOB not get the death penalty? And how do prosecutors put innocent people on death row and this guy doesn’t end up there?? The scum-bag girlfriend should spent time behind bars as well for not coming forward until she got made at the defendant. There is a special place in hell for these *******. I only pray he becomes someone’s ***** and gets what is coming to him…( anyone that gets wind of this behind bars). Unfortunately reflecting on your wrongful past deeds does no good for people without a conscience.
By Thomas
November 21, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
Well, I was not able to attend the trial this week but I was very excited to hear of the verdict yesterday but am still very sad and angry. Michael was my cousin through marriage and I had the pleasure of knowing him for the last 9 years. We shared holiday feasts with he and his family and enjoyed Thanksgiving football games. He was always the most polite young man. I will try and forgive his attackers but that is up to God and myself. As we don’t know or understand why this happened, we cannot blame God, but yet know that we will see him again. Michael - You will be Truly missed.
By Timothy
November 20, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
Micheal was my cousin and I am very sadden about the fact of what has happened so suddenly, especially in his own hometown. Justice has been served and I can only pray and hope it will bring peace to his family. My prayers are for Micheal and his family.
By JM
November 20, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
My wife and I are friends with Michael’s mother and family and we all have lived with this horrible incident for the last year and half. Michael was a very talented person with a great future ahead of him. We were present at the trail and are delighted that justice has been served. Michael will live forever in the hearts of his family, fiance, and all his friends.
By Glad
November 20, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this
None of these people should be commended. She was just as guilty and deserves life as well. Coming forward out of jealousy over your disgusting boyfriend is selfish but hey we’ll take it. May the family finally have peace and may the disgusting slobs involved receive more mercy from God then any of them showed Michael.
By Friend
November 20, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
I hope Carlo gets life and Flores does as well. Michael is very missed but society will not miss these two POS. I hope this will help ease the pain of Mike’s friends and family. Thanks to the Austin investigators and the prosecutor for their hard work in putting these two away.
By Alicia
November 20, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this
I’m glad someone had a conscience that night. Im thankful that Trevino stepped forward in this. The other two are a disgrace to humanity and should not share the air that I breathe. Pitiful,disgusting and senseless.
By terry francis
November 20, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
Michael was an innocent person walking home; I hope this person gets the maximum penalty, he deserves it. How dare he do such a horrific act to anyone, whether it be Michael or anyone else. He should pay his life for a life he took. No excuses…thank you to the young lady that came forward with the information, without you, none of this would have been determined. Michael was a loved one, great person, and will never be forgotten. I am so very sad for his family. Terry Francis
By Amy Tate
November 20, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
It is truly disgusting that this senseless act of random violence took such a wonderful young man form the lives of those who loved him. Michael was my cousin and his family and fiancee were robbed of him!
By gib filps
November 20, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
Hey man, wth! I thought i was gonna read a story about someone killing a baseball bat. Not someone killing someone with a baseball bat. False advertising.
By thedude
November 20, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
Hey man, wth! I thought i was gonna read a story about someone killing a baseball bat. Not someone killing someone with a baseball bat. False advertising.
By yr
November 20, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
That is really sad and he needs to be sentenced to the maximum amount of time for this senseless murder….Unbelievable
By ImpalaSSGirl
November 20, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Absolutely disgusting.
By ImpalaSSGirl
November 20, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Absolutely discusting.
By jlc
November 20, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
What a sad, sad world we live in