SAN ANTONIO – The Mexican Consulate provided new numbers and an update Wednesday on the victims involved in the human-smuggling case that has taken the lives of 10 and hospitalized 29 undocumented immigrants.
In a news conference, the Mexican Consulate said 34 of the 39 people found inside the hot trailer at a Walmart on city’s Southwest Side were Mexican nationals.
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Of the 34 Mexicans, 31 are men, one is a woman and the two others are identified as minors.
One of the minors remains at a local hospital, the consulate said.
Consulate said their officials have been working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to ease the concerns of family members who want to visit with victims but fear deportation.
On Monday, Guatemala's Foreign Ministry said one of its citizens was among the 10 who were killed, and two other Guatemalans were among the survivors.
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Two remaining victims have yet to be identified their nationality.
The United States Attorney’s Office said 13 victims from Sunday’s human-smuggling tragedy have been formally charged as material witnesses in the criminal case against the driver of the 18-wheeler James M. Bradley Jr.
The federal court has appointed San Antonio-based attorney Michael McCrum to represent the 13 victims who remain in federal custody Wednesday.
Bradley, 60, was set to appear for a pre-trial hearing Thursday but waived his right to the hearing and his attempt to get bail.
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On Monday, Bradley was formally charged with one count of transporting illegal aliens resulting in death.
As a result of the charges, Bradley could face the death penalty or life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
Three survivors have been released from a San Antonio-hospital and 26 remain hospitalized.
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