Harlingen PD questioned about missing evidence in El Gallito trial

HARLINGEN, Texas ( ValleyCentral ) — A Harlingen police sergeant is back on the stand Thursday morning, answering questions about missing evidence in the capital murder trial of Solomon Campos Jr.

Campos is the man accused of killing his uncle attorney Ernesto Gonzales, also known as “El Gallito.” Thursday marks day 13 of this trial.

Sergeant Manuel Tovar has been testifying for two days regarding his involvement in the case. On Wednesday, he testified about the searches conducted on Campos’ goat farm property where his uncle’s remains were found.

Tovar also told the jury that in an interview, Campos admitted to following Gonzales.

Earlier this week the jury heard from Raul Garza, a former Texas Ranger, who worked the case. Garza stated his lead suspects were Campos and Mary Ann Villafana, Gonzales’s sister.

Villafana testified Monday and was questioned about her involvement in El Gallito’s disappearance. During her testimony she said she never asked Campos to follow El Gallito. However, Villafana previously told Harlingen Police that she did ask Campos to follow El Gallito.

Additionally, on Thursday morning Sergeant Tovar was questioned by the defense attorney about the missing evidence from the Harlingen Police Department. This has been a recurring topic in this trial.

Afternoon Update

The defense asked Tovar to tell the jury why he did not pursue other members of the Gonzales family during his investigation. Tovar replied that his goal was to go after Campos first.

The defense accused Tovar of not doing his due diligence and choosing not to investigate leads that would lessen the chances of convicting Campos.

At the time of the investigation, a confidential informant told Tovar that he was suspicious of Nicole and Rudy Ramirez, El Gallito’s niece and her husband, because of a statement they had made to him. Tovar testified that he did not pursue that lead.

Additionally, Defense Attorney Erin Gamez asked Tovar about the location data that he collected from EJ Gonzales, El Gallito’s son.

In a video played for the jury, Tovar is seen talking to EJ and then leading him out of the interview room to talk about the location data. During the trial Gamez asked why they needed to have that conversation off camera, and asked Tovar if he manipulated the location data with EJ.

Tovar denied manipulating any data or evidence during the investigation.

The defense also asked Tovar about the search he did on Campos’ property on March 28, 2024.

Tovar testified that Campos did not obstruct the search. However, when Tovar asked Campos to barricade his animals he wrapped orange chicken wire around a specific area

“I find it convenient that he put it on top of the body,” Tovar said. In 2020, El Gallito’s remains were found in that exact spot.

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