Suspect accused in halfway house killing probed

A man accused in a deadly stabbing in an El Paso-area halfway house was filmed by security cameras leaving the scene, court documents state.

Christopher Cortez, 43, is jailed on a murder charge in connection with the Dec. 8 death of James Muoz, 48, in the El Paso Multi-Use Facility near Horizon City.

Muoz was found dead with multiple stab wounds on a shower floor of Dormitory G, according to a criminal complaint affidavit filed by a detective with the El Paso County Sheriff ’s Office.

Shortly after 11 p.m. Dec. 8, sheriff ’s deputies were dispatched to the facility in what was initially a call about a possible suicide, the complaint states. Deputies found that Muoz had been stabbed.

According to the complaint document, a review of security camera video showed Cortez and Muoz talking at 10:51 p.m. in their bunk area.

The video showed Cortez walk into the restroom/shower area followed by Muoz, the complaint states.

Cortez walked in wearing a white shirt and darkcolored pants. Minutes later, he walked out shirtless, holding his shirt as he exited the restroom.

Sheriff ’s deputies found a white, bloodstained shirt and a knife in a trash can and another knife was found in the desert behind the recreational area.

Cortez is being held at the El Paso County Jail Annex without bond on a parole violation and a $1 million bond on the murder charge, according to a jail log.