RivCo. Double Murder Suspect Walks Out Of Jail

BLYTHE, CA — With prosecutors declining to immediately file any charges in the case, an 18-year-old man who had been arrested in connection with a pair of killings in Blythe was free from custody Friday.

Jose Angel Manjarrez was arrested around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday on suspicion of murder and had been scheduled to appear in court Thursday. But John Hall of the Riverside County District Attorney's Office told City News Service that prosecutors had "some questions ... about the incident" and declined to immediately file any charges, instead referring the case back to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office Central Homicide Unit for additional investigation.

As a result, Manjarrez was released from custody Thursday. Suspects can generally only be held in custody for 48 hours unless criminal charges are filed.

Lt. Deirdre Vickers of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department told City News Service that no other suspects were being sought as of Friday morning, and no additional agencies have been called upon to assist with the investigation.

The Blythe Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for information.

Deputies responded to the 500 block of East Avenue A at 8:12 p.m. Monday after reports of two gunshot victims in a parking lot, according to Sgt. Rafael Victorio of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Two men were pronounced dead at the scene, according to Victorio. They were identified as Blythe residents Audelio Solorio, 45, and Deveon Keyshawn Smith, 27.

On Tuesday morning, authorities found and arrested Manjarrez on suspicion of murder and he was booked into the Blythe Jail, Victorio said.

It was unclear what led investigators to Manjarrez, or what may have motivated the killings.

Anyone with information in the case was asked to contact the Central Homicide Unit's Investigator Munoz at 951-955-2777 or the Colorado River Station's Investigator Morlock at 760-921-7900.

City News Service