SAN ANTONIO – It was a case that had gone cold, but Bexar County detectives hadn't forgotten about it. A new look at the 2013 shooting death of Michael Felan, 40, has shined a light on who they believe was behind the crime.
"There is new administration at the DA's office, new administration at the Sheriff's Office and sometimes that's all it takes is a fresh set of eyes to look at a case like this and start filling in those missing puzzle pieces," said Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.
Salazar said they had those puzzle pieces, including DNA evidence and many statements, but they hadn't been put together until recently.
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"Very early in the investigation, we felt we knew who the suspects were. We had their names. We had some of the facts of the case. There were just some missing pieces, if you will," Salazar said.
The new perspective finally allowed them to arrest the original suspects, David Morin, 27, and Ruben Donjuan, 27. They're accused of kidnapping Michael Felan and another man, moving them to at least two locations, and shooting Felan.
Felan's body was found on the side of FM 1346 near Adkins.
"There was information that they were going into some sort of legal business venture at least amongst several of the actors and the victim," Salazar said.
The violence could have been a falling out over business, but detectives were also given another strange story about what may have started the initial disagreement.
"As far-fetched as it sounds, somebody urinating on some kids' toys that were near a toilet, if that can be believed. I don't know if that would make somebody angry enough to want to murder somebody else, but stranger things have happened. There may be something missing that we don't know about," Salazar said.
He said there are still persons of interest in the case that have not been interviewed yet.
"We know who they are. We'd love to talk to them and we just assume they'll come and talk to us before we go looking for them," he said. "Years have gone by. Witnesses may have died. Living situations may have changed. Facts of the case may have become cloudy so that's why it's important that anyone who has any information on this, even if it seems so infinitesimal they should give us a call."
He said even though there's more to piece together, he's happy arrests have been made in the cold case.
"When we call a case cold, it doesn't mean it's forgotten. It just means at present the conditions aren't there that might lead to an arrest or conviction but we're glad it did come to that. Families need to know, just because it may seem on the outside, well they're not doing anything on the case, nothing's happening, it doesn't mean nothing is happening. I think this case is a perfect example of that," he said.
The number to call with any information on the case is (210) 335-TIPS or (210) 335-8477.
Morin is free after posting bail and is no longer at the Bexar County Jail. Donjuan is still in jail. His bond set at $75,000 for the murder charge, and $3,000 for a previous assault charge.
