Judge Keeps GPS Monitor and Release Conditions for Fort Myers Beach Man Accused in Friend's Shooting Death
A Lee Circuit judge has denied a request to loosen the pretrial release conditions of Carlos Gonzalez, 60, who faces a manslaughter-with-a-firearm charge in the shooting death of a college friend.
A judge has turned down a request to amend the pretrial release of a Fort Myers Beach man accused in his friend's shooting death. Carlos Gonzalez, 60, faces one count of manslaughter with a firearm in the death of a college friend whose identity remains redacted in court filings, the News-Press reported. Gonzalez was released January 15 on $500,000 bond.
Gonzalez's attorney, Donald Day, filed a motion on October 12 seeking the removal of Gonzalez's GPS monitor and the rescheduling of a routine 11 p.m. alcohol test to 9 p.m., citing significant sleep issues. Lee Circuit Judge Andrew Marcus denied the motion on October 26, leaving the conditions in place.
According to a Lee County sheriff's arrest affidavit, shortly after 12:15 a.m. on January 11, authorities responded to a shooting on the 400 block of Madison Court. Gonzalez told authorities he accidentally shot his friend, and said the handgun was on the kitchen counter, next to his friend. Authorities said in their report that a delay in calling 911 affected their ability to aid the victim, that no one else was present, and that they ruled out a physical altercation between Gonzalez and the victim. The charge remains an allegation to be tested in court.
