Two murder trials set to start in late August in Bradenton

BRADENTON -- Two murder trials were set to begin trial in late August during hearings Thursday morning.

Alex Kinchen, 17, Odilen Vela Mendez, 20, and Kelly McPherson, 23, will stand trial during the two-week trial period that begins Aug. 29.

Alex Kinchen, 17, was indicted on first-degree murder charges April 2 and Odilen Vela Mendez, 20, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Manual Galindo Oquendo.

Oquendo, 32, of Mulberry, was found by a resident about 5:30 p.m. March 12 on the side of Davis Grade Road, several miles from State Road 62 near Duette in eastern Manatee County. He had been shot and killed nearby before his body was dumped.

Kelly McPherson, 23, who is accused of shooting Keyvis McCullough in front of his 1-year-old son, is charged with second-degree murder.

McCullough, 30, was found with multiple gunshot wounds at 1:14 p.m. Sept. 5 outside a home in the 700 block of 12th Avenue West, Bradenton, after police received a 911 call reporting a man had been shot. He died at Blake Medical Center as a result of his injuries.

The next scheduled court appearances for Kinchen, Mendez and McPherson is Aug. 16.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter@JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published January 14, 2016 at 5:20 PM with the headline "Two murder trials set to start in late August in Bradenton ."