Witness Didn't Report Madrigal Murder Because She Feared for Her LIfe

The woman recently arrested for failing to report the weekend murder of former El Paso radio DJ Richard "Mardi Gras" Madrigal admitted to police she witnessed the fatal shooting and then failed to report the crime to authorities, telling only her husband.

According to a series of tweets from television reporter Ryan Hill, who obtained a copy of the arrest affidavit, Marinda Palacios told investigators with the El Paso PD she withheld the information because she feared for her life.

Just read up arrest affidavit for Marinda Palacios. It states she openly & freely admitted to witnessing & not reporting Madrigal's murder.
— Ryan Hill (@RyanKFOX_CBS) June 16, 2016

It also states she didn't do so because she was fearful for her safety and her life. It says she had multiple times to report it to police. — Ryan Hill (@RyanKFOX_CBS) June 16, 2016

Per CBS4:

Police detectives said Palacios drove to a local hotel after witnessing the slaying. While staying at the hotel, she spent time at the bar having alcoholic beverages.
Palacios admitted to detectives that she was alone for a portion of the night the day Madrigal was murdered, and had the chance to report the murder but didn't do it.
She was dropped off at her apartment the day after she had spent the night at the hotel, and later got ready to attend a high school graduation ceremony, stated the affidavit."

The report also notes that she discouraged her husband from calling police.

Palacios was arrested Tuesday afternoon and charged with failure to report a felony. She posted bail and was released Wednesday morning.

Leonel Hernandez has been charged with Madrigal's murder and remains in the El Paso County Detention Facility under a $1,000,000 bond.