A 2025 trial date was confirmed for two defendants, including at least one reputed gang member, accused in the killing of a man in Desert Hot Springs during an alleged robbery six years ago.
Matthew James Gallegos, 24, and Michael Garcia, 23, of Desert Hot Springs previously pleaded not guilty to murder and robbery charges, along with a count of participating in a criminal street gang. Gallegos also entered a not guilty plea to a firearm possession-related charge.
Both defendants also denied additional special circumstance allegations — killing for the benefit of a criminal street gang and killing during the course of a robbery.
Gallegos and Garcia are due back at the Larson Justice Center in Indio for a trial on April 16, according to case records.
The charges stem from the alleged shooting of 21-year-old Cathedral City resident Marco Torres during a Nov. 17, 2019, robbery in the 12200 block of Palm Drive.
Deputy District Attorney Samantha Paixao alleged during Gallegos’ initial court appearance in December 2019 that the victim had been attempting to “calm the situation down” after an accomplice of Gallegos stole a necklace from a separate robbery victim as Gallegos held that victim at gunpoint.
“And the defendant at that point, in close range, shot him,” she alleged.
Patrol officers reached the location moments later. The victim died at the scene despite efforts by first responders to save him.
Detectives “quickly gathered investigative leads” that culminated in Gallegos’ arrest the following morning on Third Street, according to a police statement.
Paixao said members of the robbery team yelled out the name of a street gang that operates out of Desert Hot Springs multiple times during the crimes, and the defendant shouted a gang name while being taken into custody.
According to court records, Gallegos has an unresolved misdemeanor theft case pending, but he has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County. Paixao said Gallegos also has at least one misdemeanor conviction in Utah.
Inmate records indicate that Garcia was arrested on Feb. 15, 2020, and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio on $1 million bail. Details about his alleged involvement were not available.