Two Arrested in Connection with Philen Murder
By: Jessica Reyes
Updated: January 10, 2012
The Brown County district attorney's office confirmed Tuesday they may have wrongly prosecuted a man for killing his own brother.
Authorities in Brownwood arrested Alex Gil, Jr. and Pedro Rocha, Jr., both 21, on capital murder charges Monday night in connection with the 2009 murder of Ronald Philen.
The Brown County DA filed a motion for a new trial Tuesday morning. Randall Philen was convicted in November for his brother's murder.
The DA's office released a statement Tuesday, saying a confidential informant came forward after the trial claiming armed gunmen murdered Ronald Philen while Randall was tied up in another room. Throughout the trial, Randall Philen had claimed that he and his brother were victims of a home invasion. He was convicted following a nine day trial.
Affidavits released Tuesday state Gil was confronted after the investigation and confessed to his involvement in the murder. The documents also state Gil indicated that Rocha was also involved. The affidavit further states Gil told investigators four gunmen entered the Philen residence in the early morning hours of December 11, 2009 without consent, intending to rob marijuana from Ronald Philen.
Both Gil and Rocha are being held in the Brown County Jail on capital murder charges.
Randall Philen is currently at the Byrd Unit in Huntsville.
Authorities in Brownwood arrested Alex Gil, Jr. and Pedro Rocha, Jr., both 21, on capital murder charges Monday night in connection with the 2009 murder of Ronald Philen.
The Brown County DA filed a motion for a new trial Tuesday morning. Randall Philen was convicted in November for his brother's murder.
The DA's office released a statement Tuesday, saying a confidential informant came forward after the trial claiming armed gunmen murdered Ronald Philen while Randall was tied up in another room. Throughout the trial, Randall Philen had claimed that he and his brother were victims of a home invasion. He was convicted following a nine day trial.
Affidavits released Tuesday state Gil was confronted after the investigation and confessed to his involvement in the murder. The documents also state Gil indicated that Rocha was also involved. The affidavit further states Gil told investigators four gunmen entered the Philen residence in the early morning hours of December 11, 2009 without consent, intending to rob marijuana from Ronald Philen.
Both Gil and Rocha are being held in the Brown County Jail on capital murder charges.
Randall Philen is currently at the Byrd Unit in Huntsville.
