Bradenton man charged after helping cover up a murder, Manatee deputies say
Detectives arrested a fourth suspect in the case of a man found dead in the trunk of a car at a Palmetto nature preserve last year.
Deputies say Zane Clark, 29, helped two men conceal the murder of Manuel Escobar, a 32-year-old man shot dead during a drug-related dispute in East Bradenton in August. Clark faces a charge of accessory after the fact to second-degree murder, according to court records.
The Bradenton Herald previously reported that detectives described a third man in surveillance footage during the movement of Escobar’s body, based on details in early arrest records. Investigators say they have identified that man as Clark.
An attorney representing Clark did not provide a comment when contacted by the Bradenton Herald.
Palmetto police officers discovered Escobar’s body in the early morning hours, after noticing the trunk of a black Dodge Challenger slightly ajar at the Palmetto Estuary Nature Preserve, the Bradenton Herald previously reported. Blood was visible on the driver’s seat, and when they opened the trunk, they found Escobar’s body with multiple gunshot wounds, according to an arrest report.
Detectives say they later identified Freddy Sandoval, 26, and Idus Murkerson, 21, both of Bradenton, as the men who carried out the killing. Investigators say Sandoval arranged a drug deal between Escobar and Murkerson to settle a $2,000 debt, and Murkerson shot Escobar during an argument.
Fourth person arrested in Bradenton murder
The shooting happened outside Sandoval’s home in the 2800 block of Fifth Street East, and Escobar was shot at least three times, according to an arrest report.
While Sandoval told detectives he was in the side yard during the shooting and only helped afterward because Murkerson had a gun, investigators pointed to text messages suggesting he may have planned the confrontation. In one message sent to his girlfriend the night of the killing, Sandoval wrote, “Ima have to do what I got to do with mejeeziee. Gots to,” using Escobar’s nickname, according to an arrest report.
After the killing, investigators say Sandoval and Murkerson placed Escobar’s body in the trunk of his own car and drove it to the preserve, where they left it overnight. Surveillance footage shows Clark at the scene while Sandoval and Murkerson load the body, according to an arrest report.
In a video recorded by a neighbor’s surveillance camera, Clark wears a gray or white shirt as he rummages through Escobar’s vehicle, closes the passenger door and wipes it down with his shirt, the report says. He then opens the trunk, moves items around and stands nearby while Sandoval and Murkerson load Escobar’s body. Investigators say Clark walks away on foot as the others drive off in the car.
During an interview, Sandoval told detectives that Murkerson’s friend was with them during the murder and returned to Murkerson’s residence afterward. He said the friend “was involved and that he knew everything,” according to the report.
Investigators say they later identified the man as Clark, based on his physical description and statements from Sandoval.
When interviewed by detectives, Clark said he lived with Murkerson and was inside the house when he heard gunshots. He denied seeing the shooting or touching the car and claimed he never spoke to Murkerson or Sandoval about the murder, according to the report.
Court records show investigators obtained a warrant for Clark’s arrest in September, and he was taken into custody in February after being held in Ohio. He was later extradited to Manatee County, where his case remains open.
Other arrests in fatal shooting
Clark’s arrest came after detectives also charged Jenny Garcia, Sandoval’s girlfriend, with helping cover up the crime, the Bradenton Herald previously reported.
Investigators say Garcia distracted Sandoval’s mother during the shooting, helped clean the scene with bleach and moved items belonging to both Sandoval and Escobar. Detectives also say she helped remove evidence and was seen on video carrying a duffel bag into Escobar’s apartment.
Surveillance footage and cellphone data placed Garcia and Sandoval at the apartment the day after the killing, and detectives say stolen firearms were later recovered from Sandoval’s home.
According to court records, Sandoval and Murkerson are charged with second-degree murder with a firearm and remain in custody without bond. Clark is charged with accessory after the fact and is being held in jail on a $500,000 bond, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office website. Garcia faces the same charge and was released on a $50,000 bond with court-ordered supervision, court records show.
All four pleaded not guilty, court records show. Their cases remain open, with hearings scheduled this summer.
