Ulysses Couple Pleads Not Guilty In Shooting

A Ulysses couple accused of shooting a man in the chest have pleaded not guilty to all related charges.

Lexy M. Garza, 31, and Ramiro R. Garza Jr., 32, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges in connection with the April 29 shooting of Esquiel Gutierrez, 32, Ulysses, in the 800 block of South Stubbs Road in Ulysses.

Grant County Attorney Robin Hathaway said the couple’s cases will be consolidated into one trial beginning Oct. 26. District Court Judge Clint Peterson of the 26th Judicial District is overseeing the court proceedings.

Ramiro R. Garza Jr., pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied dwelling, aggravated assault, an aggravated weapons violation and one count of criminal possession of a firearm during his arraignment hearing Tuesday, and his wife also pleaded not guilty to one count of criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied dwelling, one count of aggravated assault and one count of obstruction to the legal process, according to Hathaway.

Ulysses Police Chief Alan Olson has said Gutierrez had been in a confrontation at a relative’s home with the Garzas.

Gutierrez, who was admitted to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, was released a few days after the incident. Hathaway said she could not comment further on his condition.

Lexy Garza, who was held at the Grant County Law Enforcement Center on $150,000 bond, has bonded out, Hathaway said. Her husband still is being held at the Grant County Law Enforcement Center on $200,000 bond.