Bond set at half a million for a man accused of involvement in the murder of his cousin

HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) – One of the men accused of being involved in a deadly shooting last weekend appeared in court today.

Sender Soto-Veliz appeared before a Hartford Superior Court judge today following the murder of his cousin.

Edgar Martinez’s family is devastated, in tears in court today.

They say Martinez left Guatemala to escape the violence, but became a victim here in the US.

Police discovered the body of 18-year-old Edgar Martinez on Saturday morning, just days before his 19th birthday.

Investigators say his body was left in a comforter in Pope Park for 24 hours.

Upon further investigation, police discovered Martinez had been shot at an apartment on Magnolia Street.

Soto-Veliz, 21, was arrested and charged with tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution.

A 17-year-old was also arrested and charged with murder and tampering with evidence.

The family says the suspects and the victim are cousins.

Channel 3 heard outside court today from a family member who is devastated over the way Edgar Martinez was killed.

“Edgar is a very good guy, a very good guy. I always remember him with a smile. I always remember him, never angry. He is not a troubled man,” said Brian Ortiz, Martinez’s cousin.

Soto-Veliz has no criminal history, but was convicted of deportation in 2019.

Family members say they want the 17-year-old to be tried as an adult.

“We know one of the boys is 17 years old. We want to make sure he is transferred to adult court,” Ortiz said.

They also want Edgar Martinez’s body transported to Guatemala, where his parents are.

“We need a lot of help to send him back to Guatemala,” Ortiz said.

A judge set Soto-veliz’s bond at $500,000. He must appear in court again on November 26.

A GoFundMe page has been created for the victim, CLICK HERE.

Hartford police have officially classified a suspicious death as a homicide after discovering a body Saturday morning.