A jury on Wednesday found a former Border Patrol supervisor guilty of capital murder.
Jurors deliberated for over five hours before delivering their decision on Juan David Ortiz, who was then convicted in the shooting deaths of four women in Laredo in 2018.The prosecution closed on Tuesday and the defense soon followed closing after putting no witnesses on the stand.The two sides made final arguments on Wednesday afternoon.
Defense attorney Joel Perez countered by telling jurors not to consider the confession video as part of their deliberations because in his opinion, the confession was “improper inducement” and claimed the investigators were involved in quid pro quo with the defendant. “Is this guy a real serial killer?” Perez asked jurors. “He didn’t have that capacity. You have to look at the guy in front of you. Broken, PTSD, nightmares, insomnia.”
The courtroom was packed with the families of the victims who were wearing t-shirts that said “They are loved,” and photos of each of the four women, Melissa Ramirez, Claudine Luera, Guiselda Cantu and Janelle Ortiz.“Do you know how much pain you have caused this family?” a family member of Melissa Ramirez said. “I hate you for what you did and I can never forgive you, nor do I think God will. You deserve to suffer in prison and go to hell.
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