An online petition has received more than 240,000 signatures in support of two Texas brothers and a friend who are accused of killing the brothers’ stepfather.

The Change.org petition asks Governor Greg Abbott to release Alejandro Trevino, 18; Christian Trevino, 17; and Juan Eduardo Melendez, 18, who are facing various charges for killing the Trevinos’ stepfather, Gabriel Quintanilla, 42. Before the slaying, the three teens reportedly learned that Quintanilla had been sexually abusing his 9-year-old daughter, the half-sister of the two suspects who are brothers.

On January 13, a rancher discovered Quintanilla deceased in an open field in McAllen with blunt force trauma to the head. Quintanilla is believed to have been fatally attacked in Pharr after his 9-year-old daughter accused him of inappropriately touching her at an RV park.

Police said Christian and Alejandro Trevino learned of the accusations and confronted Quintanilla, leading to an altercation. Quintanilla reportedly then left the area on foot.

A second fight occurred when Christian Trevino allegedly chased Quintanilla and located him at a nearby apartment complex. At some point, Alejandro Trevino arrived in a car driven by Melendez. The two other teens reportedly joined in on the attack before all three left the apartment complex.

However, the three teens allegedly drove back to the complex in a truck and spotted Quintanilla, who was walking alone and injured. Police said the trio attacked Quintanilla a third time, put him in the bed of the truck, and drove him to the open field where the rancher found him deceased.

Authorities believe Quintanilla was alive when he was dumped in the field, according to KVEO. Police believe brass knuckles were used during one of the three attacks, MyRGV reported.

Reports indicated that Melendez is a friend of the Trevino brothers and is not related to Quintanilla.

At the time of his death, Quintanilla was wanted on charges of continuous sexual assault of a child and assault, family violence.

KRGV reported that the three teens were arraigned on Sunday. Alejandro Trevino is charged with aggravated assault, family violence, and engaging in organized criminal activity. Christian Trevino and Melendez are charged with capital murder; aggravated assault, family violence; and engaging in organized criminal activity.

Alejandro Trevino is not charged with murder as police do not believe he dealt the fatal blow to Quintanilla, MyRGV reported.

Alejandro Trevino remains jailed on a $1 million bond while his younger brother and Melendez are being held on a $1.5 million bond.

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[Featured image: Alejandro Trevino, Christian Trevino, and Juan Melendez/Hidalgo County Records]

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