Spencer, Iowa · Sunday, March 14, 2010
[Spencer Daily Reporter nameplate] Fog ~ 34°F  
Dense Fog Advisory

Kidnapping

Castillo-Alvarez back in Clay County Jail (02/26/10)
"He's back." Those words, spoken by Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow, referenced the return of Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez to the Clay County Jail. Clay County Sheriff' deputies transported Castillo-Alvarez from Newton's state prison back to the Clay County holding facility on a felony charge for furnishing an intoxicating beverage to inmates at a detention facility during his previous year-and-a-half stay. ...
Castillo-Alvarez case moves to Minnesota (02/25/10)
A 40-year-old former Estherville restaurant owner will face Minnesota charges after his Clay County murder and kidnapping convictions were thrown out on appeal in the fall of 2009. On Friday, Jackson County Sheriff Roger Hawkinson said he and the Jackson County Attorney's Office would file Minnesota charges of second-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault and second-degree assault against Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez...
Appeals Court hears Castillo-Alvarez case (05/30/09)
The Iowa Court of Appeals will determine if a former Estherville man's right to a speedy trial was violated through the timing of court filings near the end of a decade-long extradition process. The appeals court on Friday heard oral arguments involving Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez as part of the 86th Annual Lawyer's Chautauqua in Okoboji...
Castillo-Alvarez files appeal (05/16/08)
Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez wants the Iowa Supreme Court to take a fresh look at convictions stemming from his involvement in the death of an Estherville teenager 11 years ago. Judge Don Courtney found the former Estherville restaurant owner guilty of second-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony Jan. 25 at the Palo Alto County Courthouse in Emmetsburg. The guilty verdict came after a trial that spanned parts of three days in September...
Castillo-Alvarez receives 50-year sentence (04/26/08)
By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff A quiet and, at times, seemingly disinterested Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez received a 50-year prison sentence Friday for his role in the disappearance and death of a Estherville teenager almost 11 years ago. Castillo-Alvarez was the last of 10 people charged in the June 1997 plot to end 15-year-old Gregory Sky Erickson's life over an unpaid drug debt and his possible role as a police informant...
Hearing date set in Castillo-Alvarez case (04/03/08)
District Court Judge Don Courtney has set the hearing date for a former Estherville restaurant owner who was convicted for his role in the disappearance and death of an area teenager. Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez's attorney, Mike Williams, filed a motion on March 7 asking Courtney to vacate guilty verdicts on charges of second-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony. Castillo-Alvarez wants a new trial...