The murder case of Corpus Christi rapper Jose Jesus Mendoza Jr., known on stage as Flatline, has never produced a conviction. The man who admitted to shooting him, Jesse Wayne Taylor, claimed self-defense; Nueces County prosecutors dismissed the case, secured a first-degree murder indictment nearly two years later, and then by 2018 confirmed no charges were pending against Taylor at all. More than a decade after the killing, the case remains unresolved.
What Happened at the Pier
Mendoza, 37, was shot multiple times on the night of February 20, 2015, while fishing at a pier in the 11600 block of South Padre Island Drive, near the JFK Causeway in Corpus Christi. He was still alive when officers arrived but died after emergency responders attempted CPR.1Caller-Times. Man Pleads Not Guilty in Rapper’s Murder
More than two hours later, Jesse Wayne Taylor, then 31, walked into the Corpus Christi police station and admitted his involvement. He had head injuries when he arrived.2Caller-Times. Man Faces Murder Charge in Rapper’s Death Taylor was arrested on suspicion of murder, and his bail was initially set at $1 million.
Dismissed, Re-Indicted, Then Apparently Dismissed Again
The prosecution has followed an unusual path. In March 2015, 148th District Judge Guy Williams lowered Taylor’s bail to $100,000 and denied prosecutors’ request to raise it back to $500,000 and rearrest him.2Caller-Times. Man Faces Murder Charge in Rapper’s Death At some point later that year, Nueces County Assistant District Attorney Matt Manning dismissed the case entirely. Manning later said “last second developments” forced the office to “re-assess” before going to trial, adding, “if we only get one bite at the apple, you gotta get it right.”3KZTV10. Documentary Film and Petition Hope to Re-Open Local Rapper Murder Case
Nearly two years after the shooting, a Nueces County grand jury indicted Taylor on a first-degree murder charge on December 9, 2016.2Caller-Times. Man Faces Murder Charge in Rapper’s Death Defense attorneys criticized the district attorney’s office for the delay in presenting the case to a grand jury.4AllHipHop. Man Who Killed Rapper Flatline Claims He Acted in Self-Defense On February 17, 2017, Taylor appeared in Judge Williams’ courtroom and pleaded not guilty. His attorney, Jimmy Granberry, said Taylor had acted in self-defense; prosecutor Joe Mike Pena handled the case for the state. Taylor remained free on bail.1Caller-Times. Man Pleads Not Guilty in Rapper’s Murder
By October 2018, Manning told a local television station that no charges were currently filed against Taylor, though he said the office was “still investigating” and had spoken with the Mendoza family about the status of the investigation.3KZTV10. Documentary Film and Petition Hope to Re-Open Local Rapper Murder Case The available reporting does not explain what happened to the 2016 indictment between Taylor’s 2017 arraignment and Manning’s 2018 statement.
Taylor’s Self-Defense Claim
Taylor has maintained he acted in self-defense. Text on an online petition started by supporters of the Mendoza family says Taylor alleged he was “ambushed” by Mendoza and a group of others at the pier.5Change.org. Reopening of Flatline Murder Case – Corpus Christi His head injuries when he turned himself in were consistent with some kind of physical altercation. According to the petition organizers, no murder weapon was recovered. Houston criminal attorney Joe Ray Rodriguez, who consulted on a documentary about the case, called the initial dismissal “premature” given the severity of the charge.3KZTV10. Documentary Film and Petition Hope to Re-Open Local Rapper Murder Case The available reporting does not detail what independent evidence, if any, supported or contradicted Taylor’s account.
The Push to Reopen the Case
Frustration over the collapsed prosecution has fueled a public campaign. In 2018, Houston-based filmmaker Frank Lopez, a friend of Mendoza, directed a documentary called The Flatline Conspiracy that examined the case and the decision to dismiss the charges.3KZTV10. Documentary Film and Petition Hope to Re-Open Local Rapper Murder Case Around the same time, the production company Compound Films launched a Change.org petition on October 11, 2018, calling on the Nueces County District Attorney’s office to reopen the case. It has since gathered more than 3,100 signatures.5Change.org. Reopening of Flatline Murder Case – Corpus Christi Manning publicly said the petition was “not necessary,” insisting the office was already investigating.
Who Flatline Was
Jose Jesus Mendoza Jr. was born on March 27, 1977, and lived his life in Corpus Christi. He performed as Flatline and Mr. 361 and founded his own record label, BMM ENT. He built custom lowriders as a member of the City Style Car Club, fished often, and advocated for autism awareness after his son Trey’s diagnosis.6Corpus Christi Funeral Home. Jose Jesus Mendoza Jr. Obituary He was survived by his wife, Selina Muniz; three sons; his brother, Hector Lee Mendoza; and his parents, Jose Jesus Mendoza Sr. and Mary Ann Mendoza.