Man charged in cold case murder from 1979

HOUSTON Investigators with the Harris County Sheriff's Office Cold Case Squad say Martin Gutierrez, 58, was originally interviewed by law enforcement in connection with the murder of Santiago Conale, 23, in 1979. When reviewing the case recently, HCSO investigators noted contradictory statements in his original interview.

Gutierrez was located and agreed to be interviewed again. During that interview, the suspect admitted stabbing Conale multiple times before dumping his body in the 4500 block of Barker Cypress. "They interviewed Mr. Gutierrez multiple times and were never able to close the case. He gave numerous stories, but never enough to file charges," said Sgt. Eric Clegg of the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators say Gutierrez was the victim's boss and was upset that the victim had insulted him.

Gutierrez is being held in the Harris County Jail on a $100,000 bond.