Family and friends of the teenage victim fill the Tyler courtroom for the accused murderer's hearing

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – Looking ahead, a Tyler man accused of fatally shooting a teenager in the back of the head will go to trial this spring.

Family and friends of the victim, Rawly Sanchez, filled the courtroom Tuesday at a hearing for her loved one's accused killer, Seferino Bautista-Renteria. Prosecutors have not made a plea offer for now, but will continue to negotiate.

A trial date is scheduled for March 31st. Bautista-Renteria is accused of shooting the teenager as he sat in a truck that drove past his auto repair shop on the Fourth of July. Friends who were with Sanchez said they took a different route after taking a wrong turn.

At a previous hearing, several Bautista Auto camera footage was shown in court that appeared to show 12 shots being fired from a rifle at a passing truck. However, at this point, Bautista-Renteria's family came to his defense in hopes of being able to post several properties as security for a reduced bail they had requested to allow the suspect to remain free pending his trial.

The judge denied the request to reduce bail and Bautista-Renteria remains in the Smith County Jail.

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