Ezekiel Barajas pleaded not guilty on Wednesday in the 361st District Court in Brazos County to capital murder charges connected to the shooting deaths of his mother, Nancy Winn, 52, and his stepfather, Gerald Winn, 61.
Police said Nancy Winn called 911 around 5 p.m. on January 17 and said Barajas had shot her and her husband while they were eating. Officers arrived about 15 minutes later. Both were taken to the hospital, where they died of their injuries. Police have not said what the motive was. About an hour later, police said they found and arrested Barajas in the drive-thru of a Raising Cane's on Briarcrest Drive.
In April, Barajas completed a competency evaluation and was found competent to stand trial. Prosecutors have not decided whether to seek the death penalty. Barajas has a status hearing set for Dec. 2. Prosecutor Kevin Capps said the office may have a decision by then. Under Texas law, the only punishments for capital murder are the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.