Huntsville murder charge dropped, police and DA cite self-defense

Logan Sparkman
·1 min read
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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — A Madison County judge Tuesday ordered a murder charge against a man accused in a deadly shooting in Huntsville be dropped, court documents show.

Last week, Huntsville police said Walter Escorcia-Gomez was charged with killing 33-year-old Francisco Ramirez in a November 21, 2023, incident. He was arrested months after the shooting, police said, when an officer reportedly recognized him at Huntsville Hospital.

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But the arrest led to to more questions about the deadly encounter.

The Madison County District Attorney’s office said in a Monday court filing that, “police have obtained statements and information indicating the Defendant is not guilty of the charge of murder.”

In explaining the decision, Tim Douthit, chief trial attorney for the Madison County District Attorney’s office, said cases likes this one are “always evolving” and prosecutors don’t stop evaluating a case just because an arrest has been made.

Douthit said Escorcia-Gomez’s interview after his arrest was consistent with other evidence gathered by police.

“After we heard Mr. Escorcia-Gomez’s statement and looked at the eyewitness statements and surveillance video it appeared he was acting in self-defense,” Douthit said. “Mr. Ramirez had threatened to kill him and pulled out what appeared to be a firearm and then Mr. Escorcia-Gomez shot him.”

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Douthit said the Huntsville Police Department filed to drop the charges and the DA’s office agreed to file the nolle prose motion. That motion says the interests of justice will be served in dropping the charge.

In a motion filed on Monday, prosecutors moved to Nolle Prosse or drop the murder charge against Gomez. Tuesday afternoon, Madison County District Court Judge Patricia Demos granted the motion, dropping the case and ordering his release from jail.

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