Accused killer returned to Houston after years on the run

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Accused killer Juan Castillo finally appeared in a Harris County courtroom to answer to the law.

Prosecutors accuse Castillo of fatally shooting his common-law wife Monica Leija back in 2010 at their Houston apartment. Castillo was on the run, indicted for the crime back in 2011. Authorities told Eyewitness News he fled to Central American and was caught in 2014.

The process to return Castillo to Texas proved lengthy as the El Salvadoran government worked with the US government to honor the request.

Monday morning, Castillo showed little emotion as he was escorted in Judge Ryan Patrick's courtroom handcuff. Leija's sister, Adriana Hernandez, looked on in tears just feet away from her loved one's accused murderer.

Hernandez said Leija left behind four children - a nine-year-old son, a 10-year-old daughter, a 16-year-old daughter, and 23-year-old daughter.

"She lives in my heart and I know she lives in all our hearts. She lives in our spirit," said an emotional Hernandez. "We can never break her back and we can't forget what he done to her."

Judge Patrick set Castillo's bond at $150,000. He also ordered him to surrender his passport.