NORTHAMPTON — At least three people considered witnesses in the March death of Northampton resident Daniel Cruz have left the state, according to prosecutors.
The information was revealed Wednesday following the arraignments of two Northampton women arrested in connection with Cruz’s death, which is being investigated as a homicide by the state police detectives unit of the Northwestern district attorney’s office.
Both Alondra E. Gil, 22, and Mercedes Diaz-Wright, 22, pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Hampshire Superior Court. Gil was charged with perjury. Diaz-Wright was charged misleading a police officer. Bail was set at $3,500 for Gil and $10,000 for Diaz-Wright, the district attorney’s office said.
The women were arrested on separate arrest warrants, which provide new details into the case.
Cruz’s body was found when Hatfield firefighters were called to a field off Bridge Lane for a reported fire at around 9:30 p.m. March 10. According to his death certificate, Cruz, 44, died from gunshot wounds to the torso and neck. “Thermal injuries” were listed as contributing factors, but did not cause his death.
Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Jennifer Suhl said that a “close affiliate” of Gil went to North Carolina shortly after the March 10 incident and is still believed to be there. Suhl said there was concern Gil may try to join the woman.
Gil is alleged to have given false testimony to a grand jury regarding her whereabouts on the night of Cruz’s death as well as the whereabouts of other people considered to be suspects in the death.
“During the course of this homicide investigation, several other witnesses have left the state,” according to the motion for an arrest warrant for Gil.
Diaz-Wright is alleged to have misled investigators on her whereabouts on that night as well as the whereabouts of others considered suspects.
Court documents do not provide any additional information about the other suspects, but Suhl said the two women were closely affiliated with the suspects in the case.
Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com.