Wesley Ruiz was sentenced to death by the State of Texas for the murder of a police officer. According to court documents Wesley Ruiz would fatally shoot Dallas Police Senior Cpl. Mark Nix following a high speed chase. Wesley Ruiz would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death
Friday night, the Dallas jury that convicted cop killer Wesley Ruiz of murder has now sentenced him to death. Jurors delivered the late verdict after deliberating at the Frank Crowley Courthouse since Friday morning.
The jury deliberated for more than 10 hours over the life or death decision. It took the jury only 3 ½ hours to convict Ruiz.
This was the punishment phase in the trial for Ruiz who was found guilty of shooting and killing Dallas Police Sr. Corporal Mark Nix, in March of 2007.
Officer Nix was shot and killed as he approached Ruiz’ vehicle following a high speed chase.
There were some dramatic moments during closing arguments in the courtroom as prosecutors demonstrated the results of Ruiz’ deadly actions by slamming a metal object against the jury box.
During the trial, defense attorneys had argued that Ruiz shot in self defense. Now, they’re hoping the same group will spare their clients’ life. “Your ‘no’ vote is the most precious thing on earth for Mr. Ruiz and I ask you not to throw that away,” defense attorney Paul Brauchli said to the jury.
Prosecutors are asking for the death penalty. “This piece of metal [his badge] was the crown of Mark’s young life,” prosecutor Andy Beach told jurors. “This piece of metal, to this man [Ruiz], was a bull’s-eye.”
The only options for the jury were life in prison without parole or the death penalty.
Mabry Landor was sentenced to death by the State of Texas for the murder of a police officer. According to court documents Mabry Landor was pulled over for a traffic violation and took off running. During the chase Mabry Landor would shoot and strike Officer Timothy Abernethy who would fall. Mabry Landor would walk up to the fallen Officer and shoot him twice in the head. Mabry Landro would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death
HPD Officer Timothy Abernethy would soon become a murder victim. He met with HPD Officer Derrick Skinner on a disorderly conduct call at 8:30 that morning. Shortly after leaving the location of that call, Officer Abernethy conducted a traffic stop of a Red Dodge Durango. The Durango belonged to appellant’s step-brother, but appellant was driving it. On his on-board computer, Officer Abernethy checked the license-plate number, which was registered in the step-brother’s name and at an associated address. What Officer Abernethy did not know was that appellant was on parole for felony DWI, was driving without a license, and was in possession of a firearm.
Saul Benitez, a resident at the Luxor Park apartment complex, saw the Durango pull into the complex, followed by Abernethy’s patrol car with its flashing lights on. Benitez saw appellant get out of his vehicle and immediately run away. Officer Abernethy yelled at appellant to stop and began chasing him. After Benitez lost sight of both individuals, he heard gunshots. Benitez went inside and began writing down the Durango’s license-plate number.
Ditreuchie Brazil, who made her living as a security guard in Louisiana, was visiting her son and daughter-in-law, who lived at the complex. Upon hearing two gunshots, Brazil ran to the window, hearing four or five more gunshots as she did so. When she looked out the window, she saw Officer Abernethy chasing appellant down the sidewalk. She then saw appellant duck behind a building, turn around, and shoot the officer. After Officer Abernethy fell to the ground, appellant walked over close to the officer’s head and shot the officer in the head. Brazil shouted to her son that an officer had been shot. She saw appellant leave, acting calm. She got a good look at him. Upon hearing gunshots, Michael Triggs looked out the window and saw Officer Abernethy on the ground and appellant running away with a gun in his hand. Triggs saw appellant’s face clearly and noticed that the gun was a semiautomatic weapon. After hearing gunshots, April Alfred went outside and saw Officer Abernethy on the ground with blood coming out of his mouth. After feeling his pulse, Alfred went inside to retrieve her cell phone and some towels to apply to the officer’s wounds. In a second-floor apartment, Cynthia Chatman heard gunshots. After lying on the floor for awhile, she opened her door and saw Officer Abernethy down on the grass. Triggs, Alfred, and Chatman each called 911.
As Benitez was writing down the Durango’s license-plate number, appellant came back to the vehicle and drove away. Benitez got a good look at appellant’s face but was able to write down only the first four digits of the license-plate number. After appellant drove away, Benitez ran to find the officer, who was lying on the ground in a puddle of blood. Benitez then went back to his apartment and called the police and was told that someone was already coming.
Brandon Daniel was sentenced to death by the State of Texas for the murder of a police officer. According to court documents Brandon Daniel was seen leaving a store with concealed merchandise and the police were called. When Austin Police Department Officer Jaime Padron arrived there was a struggle between the two men that ended when Brandon Daniel would shoot the Officer in the neck causing his death. Brandon Daniel would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has upheld the death sentence for a man convicted of fatally shooting an Austin police officer.
APD Officer Jaime Padron responded to the Walmart near Interstate 35 and Parmer lane around 2:30 a.m. April 6, 2012 for a reported shoplifter. Brandon Daniel struggled with Padron before he shot and killed the officer. Daniel, now 29, was found guilty in February 2014 and sentenced to death.
Daniel’s defense filed a writ presenting 11 allegations in which he challenged the validity of his conviction and sentencing. The six-page unanimous decision from the Court of Criminal Appeals rejected the challenges.
Harlem Lewis was sentenced to death by the State of Texas for a double murder including a police officer. According to court documents Harlem Lewis ran from an officer due to traffic violations when the officer, Bellaire Police Corporal Jimmie Norman, was able to catch up with him Lewis would fatally shoot him in the head. When a nearby store owner Terry Taylor tried to assist the fallen Officer he would be fatally shot as well. Harlem Lewis would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death
A jury decided the punishment Tuesday for the man convicted of killing a Bellaire police officer and an innocent bystander in 2012. Harlem Harold Lewis III was sentenced to death. The verdict was returned after about 12 hours of deliberation.
Twelve jurors – nine men and three women – unanimously agreed that Lewis should pay with his own life for shooting and killing Cpl. Jimmie Norman, 53, and Maaco shop owner Terry Taylor, 66, at the end of a police chase on Christmas Eve.
Lewis stood with his head hung low, as his attorney kept a hand on his left shoulder. Before the jury was polled about its decision, his attorney gave him a pat, then the two sat down.
One by one, the jurors were polled, and one by one, they answered yes. They determined Harlem Lewis would be a continuing threat to society, and there was no mitigating evidence to warrant mercy.
Judge Mark Kent Ellis, 351 District Court, then told Lewis to stand to learn his fate. “Mr. Lewis, the jury having found you guilty of capital murder and having answered the question such that your punishment shall be death, do you have anything to say before I sentence you?” Judge Ellis asked.
Lewis shook his head once, indicating no.
“It is my order that you be delivered by the sheriff of Harris County to the director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division, there to be confined until the date of your execution which is contingent upon the affirmance of your case upon appeal. See the bailiff,” Ellis said.
One of Lewis attorneys said Lewis appeared to be stunned by the verdict.
“He doubled over a little bit and I straightened up. He had collapsed into the chair but I was holding him so he didn’t fall,” Patrick McCann told reporters afterward.
Family members of Norman and Taylor gave impact statements before Lewis was led from the courtroom.
Norman’s daughter, Dallas, now herself a police officer with Deer Park P.D., told Lewis her family still grieves the loss of her father.
“You are an evil person and you are a coward,” she said to Lewis.
Taylor’s widow addressed Lewis next, telling him three families were now grieving, the victims’ and his own. Judith Taylor described how she and her husband were looking forward to travel after retirement in a just a few years.
“You were brought up better than this,” she said to Lewis. “It was your choice to go into crime. Now you’re going to have to face the consequences of those choices. I feel really sorry for you because I haven’t seen any remorse from you.”
Lewis said nothing to either of the women.
Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson talked with jurors after the punishment was handed down. She said they tried to find anything redeeming about Lewis that might warrant a lesser sentence of life in prison, but found none.
“His crime was horrific, and he showed no remorse throughout the trial, I think the death penalty was absolutely correct punishment for him,” Anderson said.
Outside the courtroom, Lewis’ uncle, Charlie Johnson, spoke on behalf of Lewis’ family. “I know he was sorry. I know he was sorry. I’ll tell you that,” Johnson said.
Jurors made their decision after hearing lengthy testimony about the events that led up to the deadly shooting on Christmas Eve almost two years ago.
Norman was a 24-year police veteran with the Bellaire Police Department. He attempted to pull over the car Lewis was driving after running a computer check on the license plate, and learning a warrant had been issued for insufficient insurance.
According to fellow Bellaire officer Sergio Salinas, Lewis led Norman on a chase through residential streets until side-swiping a truck driven by Sylvan Romera Amaya. Amaya testified he also began chasing Lewis at that point to get his license and insurance information.
Lewis continued on in his damaged car for a few blocks before pulling into the parking lot of the Maaco body shop. Taylor knew Norman and came out to try to assist him. As the officer was trying to pull Lewis from his car, Lewis shot him. He then aimed the gun at Taylor, shooting and killing him also. Prosecutors said Lewis then turned to shoot Amaya, who was also standing near his car, but Amaya dove to the ground after hearing the first shot
After the shooting, Lewis fled on foot, but was shot and wounded and then captured by Bellaire officers who had come to assist Norman.
Defense attorney Tyrone Moncriffe did not deny Lewis pulled the trigger, but said Lewis did not deserve the death penalty because he was frightened and unsure why Norman was trying to pull him over. He said Lewis was distrustful of police officers because he had been stopped repeatedly by police when driving through certain areas.
Mark Gonzalez was sentenced to death by the State of Texas for the murder of a police officer. According to court documents Mark Gonzalez would shoot and kill Bexar County sheriff’s Deputy Kenneth Vann in what prosecutors called an ambush. Mark Gonzalez would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death.
After a lengthy capital murder trial in October and a separate trial this month to address his competency, Mark Anthony Gonzalez was sentenced to death Friday morning by 175th District Court Judge Mary Roman.
Gonzalez showed no emotion as Roman said, “You are hereby sentenced, in accordance with Texas law, to death.”
Gonzalez was convicted of capital murder in the May, 28 2011, ambush-style shooting death of Bexar County sheriff’s Deputy Kenneth Vann. He was killed by a volley of shots from an assault rifle as he waited for a traffic signal at a South East San Antonio intersection.
Gonzalez’s formal sentencing was delayed until Friday pending completion of a competency trial in which Gonzalez was found competent.
In her victim impact statement delivered in court following Gonzalez’s sentencing, Vann’s widow spoke of her loss.
“I miss my husband,” Yvonne Vann said. “Every single day, I miss him.”
“I will never have any more alone time with my husband,” she said as her voice trembled with emotion. “And my time now is truly alone in every sense of the word.”
Asked if she could forgive her husband’s killer, Vann said, “To me, this is just unforgiveable, and in my heart and in my mind, it will never be forgivable.”
Gonzalez’s attorney Paul Goeke said that his client would file an appeal to the verdict in addition to appeals that automatically accompany a death sentence.
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