Gonzalez released on bail in manslaughter case
Carlos Gonzalez, who is facing a manslaughter charge in the shooting death of an unidentified person he allegedly said was his friend from inside his Fort Myers Beach home, was released from Lee County Jail on bail Jan. 14 after pleading not guilty.
Gonzalez, who has requested a trial, is scheduled to return to Lee County Court on Feb. 9
Lee County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Marcus set a bond of $500,000 for Gonzalez, who was able to post $50,000 cash and put up his Madison Court home on Fort Myers Beach and Hollywood, Florida home as surety that he would return to court. Prosecutors had requested that Gonzalez remain locked up pending his trial.
Marcus ordered that Gonzalez be fitted with a GPS electronic device and is not permitted to leave Florida. He had to surrender his passport and is not permitted to drink alcohol. He is subject to random alcohol and drug tests pending the completion of court proceedings.
Gonzalez, who is 59, is accused of using a handgun to shoot the person he said was his friend in the late evening hours of January 10. The home had been undergoing repairs since Hurricane Ian. The victim has not been identified. He was found near a handgun left on a kitchen counter. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office reported there were two empty wine bottles in the garbage. The booking report stated that Gonzalez had bloodshot, watery eyes.
Investigators found no evidence that an altercation had occurred before the shooting.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office accused Gonzalez of telling emergency responders that he waited 10 minutes to call 911 from the time of the shooting. Emergency responders attempted to save the victim’s life but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Gonzalez is being represented by defense attorney Donald Day. Day did not respond to a message seeking comment.
To reach Nathan Mayberg, please email nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com