Jeffrey Prevost was sentenced to death by the State of Texas for the murders of a mother and her son. According to court documents Jeffrey Prevost would shoot and kill Sherry White, 51, and her son, Kyle Lavergne. Jeffery Prevost would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death.
Prosecutors in court Monday detailed the grisly scene family and friends found in May 2011 when they went to the home of Sherry White, 51, and her 20-year-old son, Kyle Lavergne.
“She was found in her bathroom and there was blood everywhere,” Assistant Harris District Attorney Anna Emmons told jurors. “Jeffery Prevost brutally tortured and executed Sherri White and Kyle Lavergne.”
Prosecutors painted Prevost, 54, as a dangerous criminal who deserves the death penalty for violence that has escalated as he’s been in and out of prison for most of his life.
Lawyers for Prevost said he was sorry for what he did and has confessed to the crime.
“That, to me, shows remorse,” said defense attorney Allen Tanner.
Prevost pleaded guilty to capital murder Friday, a day before opening arguments in the trial in state District Judge Mark Kent Ellis’ court.
Jurors will have to decide between life without parole or death row for Prevost.
“He’s never going to be on the street again,” Tanner said. “There’s nothing we can do to bring back the two victims in this case. If you kill him, that’s not going to bring them back.”
Police found mother and son in their Houston home in the 8900 block of Ferdinand on Saturday, May 21 2011, after family members said they were not responding to calls. Investigators believe they were killed the day before.
On Monday, their family members cried quietly in court as prosecutors detailed the crime scene.
White had been stabbed and cut 21 times, shot in the back and killed by a gunshot wound to the head, Emmons said.
Her son was found in the living room and had been shot in the arm and was killed by a bullet to the temple.
Prosecutors scoffed at the defense strategy of pleading guilty and asking for mercy.
“A guilty plea does not equate to remorse,” Emmons told jurors. “He’s sorry. He’s sorry he got caught.”
The trial is the third time the Harris County District Attorney’s Office has sought death this year.
Cedric Ricks was sentenced to death by the State of Texas for the murders of a mother and her little boy. According to court documents Cedric Ricks would stab to death Roxann Sanchez, and her 8- year-old son, Anthony Figueroa. Cedric Ricks would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death
A killer with a history of violence against women was sentenced to death on Friday for savagely stabbing his girlfriend and her little boy last year inside their Bedford apartment.
Jurors deliberated about seven hours before assessing the ultimate punishment for Cedric Allen Ricks, a 39-year-old medical assistant who prosecutors characterized as a “psychopath.”
Last week, on May 8, jurors deliberated less than an hour before convicting Ricks of capital murder for the slayings of his 30-year-old girlfriend, Roxann Sanchez, and her 8- year-old son, Anthony Figueroa.
Sanchez’s 12-year-old son, Marcus Figueroa, was also brutally stabbed but played dead and survived. A third boy, Isaiah Ricks — the 9-month-old son that Sanchez and Ricks shared — was the only one uninjured in the massacre.
During the two-week trial in Judge Mollee Westfall’s court, prosecutors Bob Gill and Robert Huseman presented evidence that on the evening of May 1, 2013, Sanchez and her three sons returned to their apartment in the 1400 block of Park Place Boulevard after a trip to Walmart for groceries. Shortly after they pulled up to their apartment, Ricks came outside and started cursing at Sanchez. Inside the apartment the argument escalated and turned violent. Ricks threw Sanchez down and started beating and strangling her, prompting Marcus and Anthony to intervene to try and protect their mother.
Ricks grabbed a kitchen knife and ferociously stabbed Sanchez in front of her sons. Afterward he turned his rage on Anthony,who was stabbed and cut more than 40 times. Terrified, Marcus ran into the closet in his room where he tried to call 911 with his cellphone. When Ricks jerked open the door, Marcus dropped the phone and grabbed Ricks’ knife, severely cutting his hands. The boy fled into the living room where Ricks caught him, threw him down and began stabbing him in the head, neck and back.
When Ricks stopped and walked away, Marcus tried to get up but Ricks returned and started stabbing him some more. Marcus testified that Ricks finally stopped when he made a gurgling sound similar to the one he heard his dying brother make minutes earlier.
Marcus laid motionless on the floor near the bodies of his mother and brother while Ricks took a shower, changed clothes, doctored his wounds and packed a bag. When he heard Ricks leave, Marcus called 911. Police and paramedics quickly responded to the scene and Marcus was taken by helicopter ambulance to an area hospital. Ricks, meanwhile, called two family members and told them that he had “killed Roxy and her boys” and asked them to go to the apartment and get his son Isaiah.
The relatives called 911.
Authorities quickly traced Ricks’ cellphone and determined he was headed north, possibly en route to his home state of Illinois. Shortly after 11:00 p.m., two troopers with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol arrested Ricks about 70 miles across the Texas/Oklahoma border, driving Sanchez’s car.
He was taken to the Garvin County Jail, where he was beaten by inmates after they learned what he had done. Shortly afterward, he waived extradition and was returned to Tarrant County where he faced the death penalty for capital murder.
In their effort to send Ricks to Death Row, during the penalty phase of the trial prosecutors presented evidence of Ricks’ violent history. Among other things, they called Ricks’ ex-wife and two ex- girlfriends, all of whom characterized Ricks as a dangerous man with an explosive temper who verbally and physically abused them. His ex-wife recalled the time when Ricks threw her down, threatened to kill her, and repeatedly stabbed the ground around her head and face with a knife. He also once choked her until she lost consciousness in front of an Illinois police station during a child visitation exchange. She also testified that after she gave birth to Ricks’ son, he told her in the hospital: “I hope it dies.”
Fidencio Valdez was sentenced to death by the State of Texas for two separate murders. According to court documents Fidencio Valdez would shoot and kill Ralph Tucker during a robbery and would shoot and kill Julio Barrios a week later following an altercation. Fidencio Valdez would be convicted and sentenced to death
The prospective juror questioning process began on Monday in the trial of Fidencio Valdez, 34, who is charged with capital murder in the shooting death of Ralph Tucker, 51, on Thanksgiving Day 2010, and in the shooting death of Julio Barrios, 18, on Dec. 10, 2010.
Jury selection in state death penalty cases usually begin with a jury “papering” process in which hundreds of jurors are summoned to the courthouse to fill out an extensive questionnaire. The papering process in Valdez’s trial began in October.
A second jury pool is then selected based on the questionnaire, and prospective jurors are called into court one by one to answer another round of questions by defense attorneys, prosecutors and the judge presiding over the case.
El Paso County sheriff’s deputies arrested Valdez, whose nickname is “Filo” and an allegedly a member of the Barrio Azteca gang, in connection with Tucker’s death at a strip club, Sal’s Lounge, in the 11400 block of Gateway East near Horizon City. Three other people — Louis Michael Capano, Santiago De Leon Jr. and Priscilla Chavez — also were arrested in connection with Tucker’s death.
Deputies alleged two men entered the strip club before 3 a.m. Thanksgiving Day wearing black ski masks, black clothes and gloves and carrying handguns. They fired several shots and attempted to rob the club’s employees. When Tucker charged at the men with a bar stool, one of the men shot Tucker in the neck.
Trial dates for Chavez and De Leon are pending. Capano was found mentally incompetent to stand trial.
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.
Brian Suniga was sentenced to death by the State of Texas for a robbery murder. According to court documents Brian Suniga would shoot and kill David Eric Rowser during a robbery of the One Guy From Italy restaurant in Lubbock Texas. Brian Suniga would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death
As she sat across from her son’s killer, Sheri Pennington looked at Brian Suniga and unleashed years of pent-up emotion Tuesday in court, calling him an evil, murderous man.
Suniga was sentenced to death for fatally shooting David Eric Rowser II on Dec. 26, 2011, during a robbery at the One Guy from Italy restaurant on 50th Street where Rowser worked.
Calling her sons her heroes, Pennington shared her loss with those in the courtroom. She said Suniga robbed her of the chance to feel her son’s hugs or meet the grandchildren her son would have had.
“Davey isn’t suffering, but you will,” she said. “Davey has the blessings of God, but you have God’s curse and judgment. Davey has streets of gold, but you have bars of steel. Davey is known and remembered for his goodness. But you will forever be known and remembered for your evil and unlawful acts.”
Rowser’s father, David Rowser, told Suniga he forgave him.
“I could live my life hating you or forgiving you,” he said. “I’m forgiving you. I won’t let you consume my life with hate.”
He suggested Suniga accept God in his life.
“Ask forgiveness from God,” he said. “He will forgive you. Part of me hopes you won’t make it.”
However, Rowser gave Suniga this parting shot. “I can live with you in heaven. I don’t think it will work out in this life.”
The trial
The 34-year-old Suniga, who dressed in a shirt and tie throughout the trial, did not testify in his defense.
The jury of six men and six women Thursday convicted Suniga of capital murder after deliberating for less than a half-hour. On Tuesday, they spent about two hours deciding whether Suniga deserved a sentence of life in prison without parole or death by lethal injection.
Jurors had to answer three questions to determine their verdict:
Does Suniga pose a threat to society?
Did Suniga cause Rowser’s death?
Is there evidence to support mitigating circumstances to warrant a life sentence without parole?
During the punishment phase of the trial, defense attorneys tried to show jurors the defendant was raised in an environment mired in alcohol, drugs, violence and sexual misconduct.
“The character of the people that formed Brian’s life is clear to us now,” said Dennis Reeves, Suniga’s attorney.
He said Suniga’s family essentially shoved him toward destruction.
Although Suniga still has to be responsible for his choices, Reeves said, testimony from Suniga’s family revealed he did not have many positive role models throughout his life.
“The father figures in Brian’s life were drunks and drug dealers,” Reeves said.
All but one of Suniga’s uncles have been to prison and his mother, Rosalinda Davis, briefly lived with Sesilio Lopez Sr., her sister’s ex-husband, who was a known drug dealer. Lopez also is the father of Suniga’s co-defendant, Sesilio Lopez Jr.
Reeves said Davis and Lopez split up when Lopez was arrested for drug dealing.
“Rosalinda wanted the benefits of drug money, but she didn’t want to pay the price,” Reeves said. “Her sons paid the price.”
Lacking a father, Suniga’s older brothers took on the role to some degree, Reeves said. However, he said even they were flawed.
The eldest brother, Eric, did graduate from college and completed his service in the Navy. However his alcoholism ruined two marriages. Reeves also said when Eric Suniga left for school and to serve, he was effectively out of Brian ’s life.
Michael Suniga testified that he brought violence home on two occasions.
He recalled one episode when attackers came to their home in Copperas Cove and threw a manhole cover into Brian Suniga’s room.
The peak of that violence came years later in Fort Worth, Michael Suniga said.
He said he and his brother armed themselves in preparation for a retaliation after their cousin shot a friend over a drug deal. The ensuing attack left the home riddled with bullets and the attackers set fire to the front of the house. Both brothers escaped unscathed.
“That sums up the life Brian was brought up in,” Reeves told jurors.
The prosecution argued that Suniga did have a sense of right and wrong despite his upbringing.
Matt Powell, Lubbock County’s district attorney, said Suniga, not his family, was responsible for the choices he made leading to Rowser’s death.
He called the defense’s argument insulting when Reese suggested being raised by a single mother shaped Suniga into a killer.
Powell also pointed out Suniga’s lack of remorse during the entire trial.
Defense attorneys also told jurors a life sentence for Suniga would be enough punishment because as a convicted capital murderer, he would not be given the same privileges as other inmates.
Powell argued Suniga will continue to be a threat to those around him. He said a life sentence would endanger not only other inmates but prison workers as well.
He reminded jurors that as they were selected in the capital murder case, Suniga and another inmate threatened a rival gang member in jail.
“What’s going to happen when all bets are off?” Powell asked jurors.
Through most of the trial Suniga sat amid his attorneys revealing little emotion. Prosecutors did catch him laughing during the testimony of a jailer who wrote him up for disrespect and during his brother’s testimony as he recalled the gunfight at his mother’s home.
However, after Judge Jim Bob Darnell read him his sentence, Suniga returned to his seat, turned around to face his family and said softly, “I love you all,” before he was shackled and escorted out of the room.
Powell said Rowser’s family, who declined to comment following the verdict, felt a sense of relief and satisfaction.
While Suniga’s trial is over, Lopez, who is also facing a capital murder charge, awaits trial.
Powell said his office is still working on how to pursue that case.
“We’ve told the family in the next few weeks we’ll try to figure out what route we’ll go with him and we’ve had lots of discussion with the family in that regard,” he said. “We’ll try to determine what we think is appropriate in that case and we’ll go from there.”
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