The capital murder trial for Omar Soto-Chavira has been set for Jan. 12, 2026, following the latest postponement taking place on Sept. 5, 2024.
According to 286th District Attorney Donnie Yandell, pre-trial is scheduled for Nov. 13 at 9 a.m. and jurors are set to report on Jan. 12, 2026, at 9 a.m. in Lubbock. The trial will be conducted in Lubbock County.
Soto-Chavira is accused of shooting and killing Lubbock SWAT Commander Joshua Bartlett during a standoff in 2021.
The trial was moved from Hockley County and was scheduled to take place in Lubbock County on Sept. 16, 2024 with 286th District Court Judge Pat Phelan presiding over the case.
In 2024, a jury competency trial was scheduled to begin on Sept. 9. Pending the outcome of the competency trial, the jury trial was set to begin on Sept. 16.
Prior to the trial, an evaluation assessment was undergone on Sept. 5 and the determination was made on Sept. 6 that both parties agreed Soto-Chavira was not competent or ready to stand trial. Following the decisions, the ruling was made to put him [Soto-Chavira] in the portal for competency restoration since he was found not competent but restorable under Chapter 46B.
Soto-Chavira is charged with capital murder for the death of Commander Joshua Bartlett during a standoff in Levelland in July of 2021.
If convicted, he could face the death penalty.