Accused killer leaves taunting message

CLOVIS, N. M. (KRQE-KBIM) - The fugitive suspect in the murder of a sleeping boy has hopped between two states and across the Mexican border with his latest stunt being a three-minute voicemail message left for a local reporter.

In the message Noe Torres denies any role in the killing of 10-year-old Carlos Perez but said he is not giving up despite an earlier call saying he would surrender. That contact with the media came after his story and photograph were broadcast by the crime show "America's Most Wanted."

Perez was killed as he slept when at least four men on the outside shot up the family's Clovis apartment three years ago. Investigators have said they believe the bullets were intended for the child's older brother.

"Hi. My name is Noe Torres, the accused in the case of a homicide attempted murder shooting at a building," the message begins. "I never sought to negotiate my surrender.

"Turning myself in means I'll be in jail for something I had nothing to do with."

Four other people were sentenced to prison in connection with the murder including Edward Salas, 24. He was one of eight inmates who escaped from the Curry County Detention Center in August and is the only one who remains at large.

"I'm not a murderer," Torres said in the phone message. "Those false accusations have been blown out of proportion.

"I have fled the state of New Mexico for drug charges and possession of firearms in a case out of Tucumcari from April 2005."

Over the last three years police said they have tracked Torres's movements to locations throughout eastern New Mexico, west Texas and Mexico.