Trial into March homicide likely won't happen until 2025

PUNTA GORDA — Friends and family of Manuel “Macho” Torres watched David Lee Hull intently Tuesday as he approached a judge’s bench, as Torres’ group wore T-shirts with the phrase “Justice for Macho.”

Hull, 34, was arrested in the shooting death of Torres in March at the Bell Plaze strip mall in Port Charlotte where Torres worked as a barber and Hull owned another business.

With more depositions and hearings set, Hull’s eventual trial won’t likely start until next year.

Hull appeared by himself Tuesday, while Circuit Judge Lisa Porter called his attorney Jason Phillips to assess the case.

Over the phone, Phillips said he had a new round of witness depositions scheduled for Sept. 12 and requested a continuance of the case until after those interviews.

Porter settled on a case hearing Oct. 8.

Hull was previously released from custody on $250,000 bond. He left the courtroom after the hearing. For safety reasons, deputies asked members of Torres’ family to wait for about a minute before leaving the courtroom as well.

Authorities allege Hull fired two bullets at Torres during an argument at Bell Plaza on Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte on March 20.

Torres was the owner-operator of Uppercutz Barbershop in the strip mall, while Hull operated the Hydroponic Depot store next door.

Torres’ friends and family allege Hull started the fight and shot Torres when he got free of the other man, despite a history of friendship between the two.

Prosecutors had previously sought to deny bond to Hull ahead of trial.

However, Phillips argued that video surveillance of the killing showed Torres as the aggressor who had a clear physical advantage over Hull. In a bond hearing earlier this year, he argued Hull was defending himself when he fired his pistol.

Deputies reported Hull was the one who called 911 for Torres and cooperated with the investigation.

Family for Torres have alleged that several employees expressed fear of returning to work at the barbershop after Hull was released. A stipulation to his release later clarified that he was only allowed to use his store’s back entrance.