Joseph Gonzales appears in court for first time

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The wheels of justice started turning for one local homicide suspect who people may recognize from the high-profile Fabian Gonzales trial.

Joseph Gonzales and Fabian Gonzales are brothers. And now, Joseph is accused of gunning down and killing a man in southwest Albuquerque Monday. 

The last time people saw Joseph in court was when he was on the witness stand:

“Was your business and your life impacted by the charges against your brother?”

“Objection, your honor.”

Joseph: “Yes”

Joseph was testifying in the trial of his brother, Fabian Gonzales, who was recently convicted for his role in the brutal death of 10-year-old Victoria Martens.

This time, Joseph Gonzales is wrapped up in his own homicide case accused of shooting and killing a man on Val Verde Drive southwest Monday morning.

According to Bernalillo County investigators, Gonzales claims the shooting happened after he spotted the victim speeding through the neighborhood.

“While on scene, Joseph made statements about the male driving at a high rate of speed. He made a statement about telling the male to slow down, resulting in a verbal argument,” said BCSO Deputy Felicia Maggard. “Joseph claimed he was in fear the male may have returned to the vehicle for a firearm himself, and stating that’s why he fired the additional rounds.”

“Mr. Gonzales, the district attorney has filed a motion for pretrial detention requesting that you be held in custody until your trial setting,” said the judge. 

On Wednesday, a metro court judge told Gonzales about the next steps in the process.

He’ll stay in jail until a district court judge decides if he’ll stay in custody until trial.