LocalNews

Jury trial delayed for Elkhart man accused of murdering roommate

photo supplied / pixabay

 

The jury trial for an Elkhart man accused of murdering his roommate and hiding the body inside a Christmas tree box has been delayed. 

Jose Ortiz Diaz is charged in the death of 44-year-old Margarito Estrada Hernandez.

Police say Hernandez’s body was discovered during a search of their Village Lane home after he was reported missing.

The Goshen News says Diaz’s trial was originally scheduled for August but has now been moved to February 1 of next year.

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1 comment

Charles U Farley July 20, 2026 at 10:20 am

It was moved back because the defense team was worried about the optics of stashing the body IN A CHRISTMAS TREE BOX during the holiday season.

Literally.

It’s time to stop coddling criminals, and while I agree that everyone deserves legal representation this lawyer should have been mocked for this suggestion and the request should have been denied.

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