Philadelphia man sentenced to life without parole in January 2021 murder
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A 25-year-old Philadelphia man was sentenced to life without parole Monday for the murder of Luis Alcazar in January 2021, the city's district attorney's office said.
Michael Ortiz was convicted of first degree murder Monday, District Attorney Larry Krasner and Assistant District Attorney Kathleen Lewis said during a news conference.
Ortiz shot Alcazar three times shortly after 4 a.m. on Jan. 28, 2021, in the 5700 block of Walker Street in the city's Wissinoming neighborhood.
According to Lewis, Alcazar woke up to feed his newborn baby and checked his phone. He told his fiancée he would be back and left the house to meet with Ortiz. Lewis said text messages showed Ortiz telling Alcazar where to meet inside a car on Walker Street.
After five minutes, Ortiz shot Alcazar in his chest and then his back and right hip as Alcazar was attempting to escape, Lewis said. Alcazar collapsed and died.
Lewis said video captured the incident, but it didn't show Ortiz's face. Ortiz was seen taking a bag from the car.
Video showed Ortiz leaving the scene and running to a white Chrysler 200 parked around the corner, Lewis said. The ADA said the car proved crucial to the investigation, as its front left bumper and quarter panel were covered with black metal.
Police were able to identify Ortiz because of previous attempts to apprehend him after he crashed the car, causing the damage.
Lewis said a call between Ortiz and his brother, Francisco Ortiz, indicated the Chrysler 200 was his car.
At the time of the phone call, Lewis said Francisco Ortiz was in prison for a September 2019 murder, and he was recently convicted in the fatal shooting of an 11-month-old. He's also in prison for life without the possibility of parole.
