Arrests made in stabbing
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

A man was arrested and charged in an El Campo stabbing last week and his girlfriend also faces charges after allegedly helping him try to leave town.

A warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon was issued late last week against David Orozco-Padilla, 18, after he allegedly stabbed a man who owed him money for work.

Andres Martinez, 40, was stabbed once in the upper right chest with a folding pocket knife the evening of April 28 after he and Orozco-Padilla allegedly argued over pay for home repair work.

Orozo-Padilla allegedly fled the scene.

Martinez was flown that night to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, where he was released sometime after Friday, according to a hospital spokeswoman, who could not say exactly which day Martinez left the hospital.

El Campo Police Lt. Terry Stanphill said after the stabbing, he spoke to Diana Briano-Davila, 20, of Louise, who Stanphill said drove Orozco- Padilla to Martinez' home at 508 Bruns.

"She knew he was wanted and she knew he was hiding and there was evidence she knew he was trying to help him escape," he said. He received tips she was seen more than once during the next few days with Orozco-Padilla, and began following her.

On Thursday, while he was following her, "she pulled into driveway, he came running out, carrying a suitcase," Stanphill said.

"He hops in the car, and she tried to back up, but I blocked her in," Stanphill said. "He tried to get out of car, but I was right there, and Sgt. (Wayne) Denson and I were able to take him into custody no problem."

After Orozco-Padilla and Briano-Davila were in custody, officers allegedly found marijuana in the car.

Orozco-Padilla, of 1415 E. Jackson was booked for possession of marijuana and the aggravated assault warrant and was held at Wharton County Jail on $152,000 in bond as of 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 6.

Briano-Davila was booked for possession of marijuana, no insurance, no driver's license and hindering apprehension. She was released at 3:25 p.m. May 2 on $8,000 bond.

"She was arrested for hindering because I talked with her previously and warned her then not to assist him in hiding and eluding," Stanphill said.