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Judge declines bond reduction request for Windom native

WINDOM -- Hans Hottel, a Windom native accused of aiding and abetting in the murder of a man who was his roommate in Mankato, appeared in Cottonwood County District Court Monday to request a reduction in his bond -- a request that was denied by Judge Bruce Gross.

Hottel was arrested Nov. 19, the same day the body of Alberto Samilpa Jr. was found next to a burning car in rural Cottonwood County.

Samilpa had been shot several times in the head, stabbed in the neck, and his body had been set on fire. Samilpa and others are suspected of burglarizing a home in rural Mankato Nov. 17. Two vehicles were stolen from the residence, and both were found on Nov. 19. Both had been burned, and Samilpa's body found near one of the stolen vehicles.

Five people have been arrested in the case on charges that vary from second-degree murder to being an accomplice after the fact. Hottel is charged with aiding and abetting in the second-degree murder and being an accomplice after the fact.

Hottel was the first suspect identified and arrested because he used a credit card to purchase fuel at a gas station. He was driving his own vehicle, while the victim and several suspects were at the same station fueling what are believed to be the stolen vehicles.

WINDOM -- Hans Hottel, a Windom native accused of aiding and abetting in the murder of a man who was his roommate in Mankato, appeared in Cottonwood County District Court Monday to request a reduction in his bond -- a request that was denied by Judge Bruce Gross.

Hottel was arrested Nov. 19, the same day the body of Alberto Samilpa Jr. was found next to a burning car in rural Cottonwood County.

Samilpa had been shot several times in the head, stabbed in the neck, and his body had been set on fire. Samilpa and others are suspected of burglarizing a home in rural Mankato Nov. 17. Two vehicles were stolen from the residence, and both were found on Nov. 19. Both had been burned, and Samilpa's body found near one of the stolen vehicles.

Five people have been arrested in the case on charges that vary from second-degree murder to being an accomplice after the fact. Hottel is charged with aiding and abetting in the second-degree murder and being an accomplice after the fact.

Hottel was the first suspect identified and arrested because he used a credit card to purchase fuel at a gas station. He was driving his own vehicle, while the victim and several suspects were at the same station fueling what are believed to be the stolen vehicles.

"(Hottel) did not flee. He did not run or hide. He stayed here," Kircher said, adding that Hottel was the only one of the five people arrested who did not try to flee.

"We believe the facts will show his actions are purely the result of threats made against him, his girlfriend and his family," Kircher reiterated. "He didn't run. He knew, quite frankly, that he had not done anything wrong."

After explaining that Hottel and his parents, who reside in Windom, have limited financial means, Kircher asked again that the bond amount be reduced or that Hottel be released on his own recognizance.

"He is not a flight risk -- not a threat to public safety," he added. "He wants to stay and clear his name."

Zdrazil pointed out that at the store where Hottel used his credit card, Samilpa went into the store and paid for his fuel in cash.

"An hour later, he was dead," Zdrazil stated. "Assuming (Hottel) didn't actually fire the shots, he gave the murderers a ride back. He was actively involved in a criminal enterprise."

Judge Gross opted to deny any changes in the terms of the bond and tentatively set a date of Dec. 31. for an omnibus hearing.