GILLETTE — A local man accused of killing his half-sister last week waived his preliminary hearing Thursday as the case now heads to district court.
Vincent Hackett, 26, has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly shooting 33-year-old Haleigh Martinez three times, including once in the face, and killing her at their mother’s house in Gillette on Jan. 21.
If found guilty, Hackett faces anywhere between a 20-year-sentence to life in prison.
By waiving his preliminary hearing, Hackett has chosen not to argue that the state has probable cause to prosecute him, but hasn’t admitted guilt. The case will now head to Campbell County District Court for a felony-level trial.
He remains at the Campbell County Detention Center on a $750,000 cash bond. Hackett’s attorney, Joshua Taylor, did not immediately respond for a request for comment.
Fight Fueled By Alcohol
The shooting happened after a day of drinking, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed in the case.
Hackett, who lives at home with his mother Jennifer Hackett, had been home that afternoon with Martinez and her three children as the adults consumed alcohol and watched television.
The two siblings did not get along, according to their mother’s statement to police in the affidavit, because Hackett did not approve of his sister’s lifestyle and the way she raised her children.
The siblings argued throughout the day with Martinez once leaving and returning to the home around 7:30 p.m.
A short time later, an argument ensued between the siblings, prompting their mother to break up the argument and separate them, with Hackett going to a different part of house, according to the affidavit.
Not long thereafter, Hackett returned to the living room to join his mother, Martinez and the children. The siblings once again began arguing “very loudly,” according to what their mother told police, with Hackett telling Martinez to leave and escorting her to the door.
Then he allegedly pushed Martinez out onto the enclosed porch and dead-bolted the door. This enraged Martinez, according to documents filed in the case, as she began beating on the door and demanding to be let back in.
That’s when the “door suddenly swung open,” according to the affidavit, at which point Hackett reportedly shot his half-sister in the face.
She was taken to Campbell County Health where staff found two more gunshot wounds. Martinez died of her injuries shortly after being admitted.
It’s not clear at what point Hackett allegedly armed himself with the pistol. His mother told police that Hackett did not perceive her sister as a threat.
Jen Kocher can be reached at jen@cowboystatedaily.com.
