ABC 6 has learned that Byron Zepeda, who is charged with murdering 41-year-old Richard Robinson on Douglas Avenue last week, may be in this country illegally...and he has an extensive criminal record.
     Zepeda, who is 23, was arraigned last week on murder charges after deciding to turn himself in Texas, where he had fled after the incident.
     ABC 6 has learned that Zepeda has numerous contacts with law enforcement.
     He admitted five years ago to carrying a pistol without a license, and later admitted to drug charges.
     He has been in an out of the ACI over the years and because of this latest charge has an immigration detainer on him.
     Of course this raises the question: If Governor Carcieri's new executive order had been in place, would Zepeda have been on the street, or even in the country, when last month's murder took place?
     Sources also tell ABC 6 that Providence Police Chief Dean Esserman issued a department-wide order a year and a half ago prohibiting officers from asking about immigration status.
     We have a call into the mayor's office and will have much more for you beginning this afternoon at 4.
    
     ABC 6's chief reporter Jim Hummel has the details...