TOPEKA, Kan. – A Shawnee County prosecutor wants to try a mother and son together for the shooting death of the son's estranged wife in Topeka.
Defense attorneys for 32-year-old Manuel Alcala of Topeka oppose the effort to try him along with his mother, 58-year-old Manuela Alcala, of El Paso, Texas. The two are charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Ashley Alcala, who was shot at her Topeka home in October 2012.
Prosecutors argue that the two should be tried together because they face the same charges, which are based on the same acts, and both cases will require the same evidence and witnesses.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports a hearing to decide whether the two will be bound over for trial is scheduled for Thursday.
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