Jury weighing Santa Rosa murder trial evidence

Jury deliberations resume Monday in the murder trial of a Santa Rosa man accused of calling a hit on a rival in a dispute over drug turf.

Omar Chavez, 26, faces three felony counts with gang enhancements in the Jan. 15, 2005, shooting death of Semere Haile Girmai, also of Santa Rosa, at a Bennett Valley apartment.

Following more than two weeks of testimony, jurors began working on a verdict late Thursday and continued to deliberate through Friday afternoon.

Prosecutors contend Chavez arranged for a friend, Ricardo Puentes, to gun down Girmai to "squash a problem" connected to competition over illicit drug sales. Puentes remains at large and is thought to be hiding in Mexico.

Chavez was arrested in Florida in 2007.

Witnesses to the shooting testified at trial that Chavez appeared calm as Puentes fired at least five rounds into Girmai's head and chest during a small gathering at the Hoen Avenue apartment. Deputy District Attorney Traci Carrillo described Puentes as Chavez's "muscle."

Defense attorney Erik Babcock said Chavez had nothing to do with the death. He said Chavez went with Puentes to the apartment to talk to Girmai about their differences and was surprised when the shooting started. He said Chavez and "Streets," as Girmai was known, had been friends.