NORTHAMPTON — A Northampton woman charged in connection with the death of Daniel Cruz, whose body was found in Hatfield in early March, has been released on bail following a hearing Wednesday morning.
Mercedes Diaz-Wright, 22, pleaded not guilty last week in Hampshire Superior Court to misleading a police officer. Bail was set at $10,000 at that arraignment. At a Wednesday morning bail hearing, Judge John Agostini reduced bail to $3,500.
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, of Northampton, died from gunshot wounds to the torso and neck. “Thermal injuries” were listed as contributing factors, but did not cause his death. His death is being investigated as a homicide by the state police detectives unit of the Northwestern district attorney’s office.
Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Jennifer Suhl opposed the bail reduction. Since Diaz-Wright was arraigned on the charge, prosecutors have heard recorded jail calls in which she has been speaking with one of the primary suspects in the case about it, Suhl said Wednesday.
Suhl added that there has also been conversation about the man’s efforts to gather bail money for Diaz-Wright.
Diaz-Wright is being represented by attorney Alfred Chamberland. Her next court appearance is scheduled for July 18.
Another Northampton woman, Alondra E. Gil, 22, has also been charged in the case and pleaded not guilty to perjury. She is being held on $3,500 bail.
Prosecutors have previously said that at least three other people considered witnesses in the March death have left the state, including a “close affiliate” of Gil, who went to North Carolina shortly after the incident.
Suhl said that one primary suspect is currently in custody on an unrelated criminal matter.
Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com.