Murder suspects appear in court

ALAMOSA — Two of three men facing murder charges for the August 9th death of Alamosa resident Mathias Fritz, 40, made their first appearances in court on those charges on Thursday.

Shem M. Brown, 26, of Monte Visa, and Shawndon J. McVey, 25, appeared in Alamosa County Court on November 1st. A third defendant, Robert P. Martinez, 29, of Del Norte, also faces murder charges in relation to Fritz’s murder. He is being held in Rio Grande County.

Brown appeared in person with a court-appointed attorney. In addition to the class one felony murder in the first degree charge, he also had a protection order issued against him.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Brown on January 11th, 2019 and for McVey on January 14, 2019.

All three defendants face charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, robbery, felony menacing and multiple crimes of violence enhancers in connection with the assault and shooting of Alma Salazar, who survived, and the death of Fritz, who was beaten and shot in an East Alamosa apartment.

Investigation is ongoing, and further suspects may be charged.