On July 31, 2003, Alvarez-Hernandez had given Harris a ride from an Omaha bar to Council Bluffs, where the victim eventually pulled his vehicle over at 1613 S. 13th St. The night ended with Alvarez-Hernandez stabbed to death just outside the door to the home, after an apparent robbery attempt.

After months of investigation, the case went cold in the fall of 2003, then was briefly reopened in 2006 before going cold again. In September 2013, a DNA hit connected blood from a $5 found at the scene to Thomas J. Sanchez, 47, of La Vista, Neb. Sanchez’s arrest rekindled an investigation into the murder, which led detectives to zero in on Harris, who multiple people said was involved in the crime, including his brother.

The Metro Area Fugitive Task Force arrested Harris in March of this year.The prosecution offered Harris a plea deal, first-degree robbery, which would’ve brought a 25-year prison term. With good behavior, he could have gotten out after 17 1/2 years, but Harris decided to take his chances with a jury.