In 2023 Amarillo saw a drop in homicides from the previous years. Sixteen homicides occurred in Amarillo in 2023.  One of those homicides took the life of an Amarillo woman and her unborn baby.

101.9 The Bull logo
Get our free mobile app

On Sunday, February 5, 2023, the Amarillo Police Department was called to the WoodSpring Suites hotel on East I-40.  After arriving they found 31-year-old Kendra Vela dead of apparent gunshot wounds.  APD was able to track down a suspect at another hotel.  After calling in the Critical Incident Response Team they apprehended Trey Phillip Greenleaf. He was arrested and booked into the Potter County Jail for murder.

When Was Greenleaf Indicted?

On Wednesday, March 8, 2023, a Grand Jury indicted Trey Phillip Greenleaf on one charge of capital murder of multiple persons and a charge of murder in the death of Kendra Vela and her unborn child. He was held in lieu of $1 million bond.

In May 2023, a motion for bond to be reduced to $50,000 was made but ultimately denied.

On September 27, 2023, a hearing took place to state  that "Counsel of record declined to appear because he is no longer licensed and believed he was not allowed to appear."

Greenleaf's attorney Ronald Spriggs was no longer eligible to practice.

The Trial and Verdict

Greenleaf's trial lasted 6 days and on Tuesday, September 24th, after deliberating less than an hour a jury found Greenleaf guilty of the murder of Kendra Vela.  The jury deliberated for less than an hour.

Greenleaf was sentenced to life in prison without parole

Since Greenleaf was convicted of capital murder, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. If he had been convicted of the lesser charge of first degree murder, he would have been eligible for parole in 40 years, at 71 years old.

Greenleaf's attorney has already filed a notice of appeal in the Capital Murder case.

Amarillo's Most Wanted: Help Bring These Fugitives to Justice

These are the fugitives who make up Amarillo's Most Wanted list. The individuals on this list have been accused of serious crimes and are considered a danger to society.

If you have any information about these FUGITIVES, you are urged to call Amarillo Crime Stoppers at (806) 374-4400 or submit a Web Tip by visiting THIS LINK

NEVER TRY TO DETAIN THE FUGITIVE YOURSELF!

You do not have to give your name. AMARILLO CRIME STOPPERS will pay a reward of up to $300 and you WILL remain anonymous. 

Updated as of 8/06/2023

Gallery Credit: Sarah Clark

All the Most Wanted Fugitives and Sex Offenders Captured in Texas in 2023

Texas is a big state and with that kind of size, one can expect to have many people on the run from the law. Here are all the most wanted fugitives and sex offenders who were captured in 2023 with some with the help of tips given through Crime Stoppers.

LOOK: 12 Unsolved Homicides by the Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers currently have 12 homicides that have gone cold and have not been solved or the suspect apprehended. These cases stem back to 1978.

If you have any information regarding any of the homicides below you are encouraged to call Texas Crimestoppers at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477) or you can submit a tip online here.

Gallery Credit: Lori Crofford/TSM Amarillo

More From 101.9 The Bull