Witness testimony begins in trial for suspect in massage parlor murder

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Witness testimony began Tuesday in the trial against Juan Carlos Hernandez, accused in the murder of a massage parlor worker during a robbery in 2022.

According to a criminal complaint Hernandez and Jose Rivera-Ramirez went into Wonderful Massage in January 2022 pretending to be a customer and then pulled a gun and demanded money. The owner, Sihui Fang tried to run, investigators say the teens dragged her back inside. Fang was able to grab a gun and fire in self-defense, prosecutors say both men returned fire. Rivera-Ramirez was injured and Fang was killed.

The first officer to arrive on scene took the stand Tuesday morning and recounted arriving and finding gunshot victims at the scene. The trial is scheduled to last for the rest of the week. Rivera-Ramirez was convicted in June by a jury for his part in the robbery and murder. He faces a possible life sentence.

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