Eric Boyston – Black, age 24
Sentenced in Maricopa County, Arizona
By: a jury
Date of crime: February 2, 2004
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Boyston was convicted of three counts of first degree murder and two counts of attempted murder after he went on a shooting spree at his grandmother’s apartment complex. Boyston got into an argument with his girlfriend before killing his grandmother, uncle, and a family friend. Boyston’s great aunt was wounded and his girlfriend was rendered a paraplegic. The court process took years as Boyston’s mental competence was restored to stand trial, in addition to his defense attempting to prove he was mentally retarded.
Sources: The Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ) 2/3/04 (2004 WLNR 23011460), AP Alert 7/24/06 – AZ 08:12:08, AP Alert 2/4/10 – AZ 01:45:00, The Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ) 2/4/10 (2010 WLNR 2333734).
By: a jury
Date of crime: February 2, 2004
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Boyston was convicted of three counts of first degree murder and two counts of attempted murder after he went on a shooting spree at his grandmother’s apartment complex. Boyston got into an argument with his girlfriend before killing his grandmother, uncle, and a family friend. Boyston’s great aunt was wounded and his girlfriend was rendered a paraplegic. The court process took years as Boyston’s mental competence was restored to stand trial, in addition to his defense attempting to prove he was mentally retarded.
Sources: The Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ) 2/3/04 (2004 WLNR 23011460), AP Alert 7/24/06 – AZ 08:12:08, AP Alert 2/4/10 – AZ 01:45:00, The Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ) 2/4/10 (2010 WLNR 2333734).
John Fitzgerald – White, age 40
Sentenced in Maricopa County, Arizona
By: a jury
Date of crime: April 15, 2005
Prosecution’s case/defense response: On a flight from Phoenix to Hawaii, Fitzgerald, a former Navy diver, checked a sniper rifle with scope, two samurai swords and a Glock pistol. Shortly thereafter, Fitzgerald went to the home of his mother, Margaret Larkin (age 74), and in front of her elderly fiancé assaulted her with one of the swords and shot her to death. On two occasions during the proceedings Fitzgerald was found incompetent to stand trial but was psychologically treated so he could be adequately aware of what was happening. Prosecutors claimed the murder was premeditated Defense attorneys argued Fitzgerald was delusional in an attempt to establish an insanity defense, but jurors nevertheless found him guilty of first-degree murder. A mistrial was declared in March and two months later a second jury gave Fitzgerald the death penalty.
Sources: The Arizona Republic (AZ) 4/9/08 (2008 WLNR 26413965), The Arizona Republic (AZ) 8/24/10 (2010 WLNR 16861446), The Arizona Republic (AZ) 8/24/10 AP Alert – HI 14:45:55.
By: a jury
Date of crime: April 15, 2005
Prosecution’s case/defense response: On a flight from Phoenix to Hawaii, Fitzgerald, a former Navy diver, checked a sniper rifle with scope, two samurai swords and a Glock pistol. Shortly thereafter, Fitzgerald went to the home of his mother, Margaret Larkin (age 74), and in front of her elderly fiancé assaulted her with one of the swords and shot her to death. On two occasions during the proceedings Fitzgerald was found incompetent to stand trial but was psychologically treated so he could be adequately aware of what was happening. Prosecutors claimed the murder was premeditated Defense attorneys argued Fitzgerald was delusional in an attempt to establish an insanity defense, but jurors nevertheless found him guilty of first-degree murder. A mistrial was declared in March and two months later a second jury gave Fitzgerald the death penalty.
Sources: The Arizona Republic (AZ) 4/9/08 (2008 WLNR 26413965), The Arizona Republic (AZ) 8/24/10 (2010 WLNR 16861446), The Arizona Republic (AZ) 8/24/10 AP Alert – HI 14:45:55.
Fabio Gomez – Latino, age 30
Sentenced in Maricopa County, Arizona
By: a jury
Date of crime: December 2, 1999
Prosecution’s case/defense response: The body of Joanne Morane (age 36) was found in an apartment dumpster after being beaten to death with a 10-pound dumbbell. Gomez kidnapped Morane and took her to his apartment where he bound her with duct tape before beating and raping her. Afterwards, Gomez took her to the bathroom where he clubbed her in the skull with a dumbbell at least 18 times. Gomez, a former minor league baseball player, was found guilty of first-degree murder in 2003. However, the death sentence was thrown out due to jurors seeing Gomez in shackles and prison attire prior to the penalty phase of the case. Gomez was linked to the murder by DNA evidence found on the dumbbell, which was inside his apartment. Gomez’s semen was also found in Morane’s body. Gomez’s defense argued the possibility that Morane had been killed by a jealous ex-boyfriend who was quoted as saying, “if I cant have you, baby, nobody can.”
Sources: The Arizona Republic (AZ) 2/27/01 (2001 WLNR 12818555), The Arizona Republic (AZ) 3/3/01 (2001 WLNR 12812304), The Arizona Republic (AZ) 5/13/03 (2003 WLNR 17911951), The Arizona Republic (AZ) 6/6/03 (2003 WLNR 17899588), The Phoenix New Times (AZ) 6/26/03 (2003 WLNR 13268622), The Arizona Republic (AZ) 9/24/10 (2010 WLNR 19009992), 10/16/10 AP Alert – AZ 00:22:47.
By: a jury
Date of crime: December 2, 1999
Prosecution’s case/defense response: The body of Joanne Morane (age 36) was found in an apartment dumpster after being beaten to death with a 10-pound dumbbell. Gomez kidnapped Morane and took her to his apartment where he bound her with duct tape before beating and raping her. Afterwards, Gomez took her to the bathroom where he clubbed her in the skull with a dumbbell at least 18 times. Gomez, a former minor league baseball player, was found guilty of first-degree murder in 2003. However, the death sentence was thrown out due to jurors seeing Gomez in shackles and prison attire prior to the penalty phase of the case. Gomez was linked to the murder by DNA evidence found on the dumbbell, which was inside his apartment. Gomez’s semen was also found in Morane’s body. Gomez’s defense argued the possibility that Morane had been killed by a jealous ex-boyfriend who was quoted as saying, “if I cant have you, baby, nobody can.”
Sources: The Arizona Republic (AZ) 2/27/01 (2001 WLNR 12818555), The Arizona Republic (AZ) 3/3/01 (2001 WLNR 12812304), The Arizona Republic (AZ) 5/13/03 (2003 WLNR 17911951), The Arizona Republic (AZ) 6/6/03 (2003 WLNR 17899588), The Phoenix New Times (AZ) 6/26/03 (2003 WLNR 13268622), The Arizona Republic (AZ) 9/24/10 (2010 WLNR 19009992), 10/16/10 AP Alert – AZ 00:22:47.
Robert Hernandez – Latino, age 31
Sentenced in Maricopa County, Arizona
By: a jury
Date of crime: April 15, 2008
Prosecution’s case/defense response: In a robbery attempt linked to drug trafficking, Ormar Guzman (age 28), Pablo Guzman (age 22) and Jeni Rivera (age 26) were shot and killed. Maria Diaz (age 26) was wounded during the attack. Two of the victims were believed to have been innocent parties who were at the wrong place at the arong time. Hernandez was ultimately convicted of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, burglary and kidnapping. Hernandez had been released from prison just two months earlier after serving eight years for armed robbery. Daniel Matthew Bueno (age 17) and David Alexander Alvidrez (age 18) were also convicted in the shootings.
Sources: 4/29/08 AP Alert – AZ 19:39:28, Wake Up America (NC) 4/29/08 (http://wwwwakeupamericans-spree.blogspot.com/2008/04/2-arrested-1-still-on-run-in-triple.html), The Arizona Republic (AZ) 4/29/08 (http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/04/29/20080429brk-peotriple0429-ON.html), The Arizona Republic (AZ) 4/30/08 (2008 WLNR 26438610), US St. News 4/30/08 (2008 WLNR 8179314), 5/12/08 AP Alert – AZ 19:31:54, 5/12/08 AP Alert – AZ 20:17:06.
By: a jury
Date of crime: April 15, 2008
Prosecution’s case/defense response: In a robbery attempt linked to drug trafficking, Ormar Guzman (age 28), Pablo Guzman (age 22) and Jeni Rivera (age 26) were shot and killed. Maria Diaz (age 26) was wounded during the attack. Two of the victims were believed to have been innocent parties who were at the wrong place at the arong time. Hernandez was ultimately convicted of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, burglary and kidnapping. Hernandez had been released from prison just two months earlier after serving eight years for armed robbery. Daniel Matthew Bueno (age 17) and David Alexander Alvidrez (age 18) were also convicted in the shootings.
Sources: 4/29/08 AP Alert – AZ 19:39:28, Wake Up America (NC) 4/29/08 (http://wwwwakeupamericans-spree.blogspot.com/2008/04/2-arrested-1-still-on-run-in-triple.html), The Arizona Republic (AZ) 4/29/08 (http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/04/29/20080429brk-peotriple0429-ON.html), The Arizona Republic (AZ) 4/30/08 (2008 WLNR 26438610), US St. News 4/30/08 (2008 WLNR 8179314), 5/12/08 AP Alert – AZ 19:31:54, 5/12/08 AP Alert – AZ 20:17:06.
Ronnie Joseph – Black, age 48
Sentenced in Maricopa County, Arizona
By: a jury
Date of crime: April 1, 2004
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Joseph was found guilty of the shooting of Tommar Brown (age 14) and the attempted murder of Brown’s aunt, Darlene Brown (age 43). Joseph, armed with a .45 caliber pistol, shot Brown when he got in the middle of a domestic dispute between his uncle (Joseph) and his aunt in a south Phoenix apartment complex. A family friend was also shot but recovered. Joseph was charged with one count of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, burglary and weapons misconduct.
Sources: The Arizona Republic (AZ) 4/8/04 (2004 WLNR 22989718), East Valley Tribune (AZ) 4/8/04 AP Alert – AZ 15:33:33, 12/9/05 AP Alert – AZ 07:16:16.
By: a jury
Date of crime: April 1, 2004
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Joseph was found guilty of the shooting of Tommar Brown (age 14) and the attempted murder of Brown’s aunt, Darlene Brown (age 43). Joseph, armed with a .45 caliber pistol, shot Brown when he got in the middle of a domestic dispute between his uncle (Joseph) and his aunt in a south Phoenix apartment complex. A family friend was also shot but recovered. Joseph was charged with one count of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, burglary and weapons misconduct.
Sources: The Arizona Republic (AZ) 4/8/04 (2004 WLNR 22989718), East Valley Tribune (AZ) 4/8/04 AP Alert – AZ 15:33:33, 12/9/05 AP Alert – AZ 07:16:16.
Gilbert Martinez – Latino, age 42
Sentenced in Maricopa County, Arizona
By: a jury
Date of crime: April 1, 2006
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Wearing masks, Martinez and Robert Arbolida (age 48) broke into the home of Vern Jark’s in-laws in Sun City, Arizona. Martinez and Arbolida tied up the elderly couple, one of their daughters and her husband before searching for the other daughter, Jark’s wife. Jark (age 51), who was staying there with others, was shot while trying to hide his wife. Arbolida testified against Martinez in exchange for a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 25 years. A jury found Martinez guilty of first-degree murder, burglary, theft, four counts of kidnapping and aggravated assault. Martinez was already serving a 99-year sentence for six burglaries in Peoria and Sun City in 2005 and 2006. His son, sister and two other men are serving prison sentences for crimes related to those burglaries. However, the jury declared it was deadlocked in the penalty phase of trial and announced a mistrial on December 11, 2009. A new jury was called and on February 1, 2010 a penalty trial commenced. Martinez was given the death penalty on April 30, 2010.
Sources: Aberdeen American News (SD) 10/22/09 AP Alert – SD 19:00:00, 12/11/09 AP Alert – SD 08:01:11, Aberdeen American News (SD) 4/30/10 (2010 WLNR 8998195), Arizona Republic (AZ) 4/30/10 (2010 WLNR 8970863).
By: a jury
Date of crime: April 1, 2006
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Wearing masks, Martinez and Robert Arbolida (age 48) broke into the home of Vern Jark’s in-laws in Sun City, Arizona. Martinez and Arbolida tied up the elderly couple, one of their daughters and her husband before searching for the other daughter, Jark’s wife. Jark (age 51), who was staying there with others, was shot while trying to hide his wife. Arbolida testified against Martinez in exchange for a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 25 years. A jury found Martinez guilty of first-degree murder, burglary, theft, four counts of kidnapping and aggravated assault. Martinez was already serving a 99-year sentence for six burglaries in Peoria and Sun City in 2005 and 2006. His son, sister and two other men are serving prison sentences for crimes related to those burglaries. However, the jury declared it was deadlocked in the penalty phase of trial and announced a mistrial on December 11, 2009. A new jury was called and on February 1, 2010 a penalty trial commenced. Martinez was given the death penalty on April 30, 2010.
Sources: Aberdeen American News (SD) 10/22/09 AP Alert – SD 19:00:00, 12/11/09 AP Alert – SD 08:01:11, Aberdeen American News (SD) 4/30/10 (2010 WLNR 8998195), Arizona Republic (AZ) 4/30/10 (2010 WLNR 8970863).
Efren Medina – Latino, age 18
Sentenced in Maricopa County, Arizona
By: a jury
Date of crime: September 30, 1993
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Records show Carle Otis Hodge (age 71), a former Arizona Republic science writer, ran out of his house around midnight in response to seeing Medina attempting to steal his car. Medina assaulted Hodge shortly before dragging him into the street and driving over him with a car. Medina was convicted of murder and given the death penalty. However, on appeal the defense argued that Medina suffered from a lingering delusional disorder that likely caused him to imagine that Hodge was threatening him. This new evidence caused the Superior Court judge to question his ruling who subsequently ordered a new sentencing trial. Nevertheless, a hung jury during the second hearing resulted in the declaration of a mistrial. Consequently, Medina went to trial for a third time where it was ruled that the aggravated and heinous nature of the murder outweighed the history of mental illness, thus resulting in Medina’s original conviction to be upheld.
Sources: The Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ) 11/20/03 (2003 WLNR 17937568), The Arizona Republic 1/14/10 (2010 WLNR 773304), AP Alert1/14/10 – AZ 01:51:03.
By: a jury
Date of crime: September 30, 1993
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Records show Carle Otis Hodge (age 71), a former Arizona Republic science writer, ran out of his house around midnight in response to seeing Medina attempting to steal his car. Medina assaulted Hodge shortly before dragging him into the street and driving over him with a car. Medina was convicted of murder and given the death penalty. However, on appeal the defense argued that Medina suffered from a lingering delusional disorder that likely caused him to imagine that Hodge was threatening him. This new evidence caused the Superior Court judge to question his ruling who subsequently ordered a new sentencing trial. Nevertheless, a hung jury during the second hearing resulted in the declaration of a mistrial. Consequently, Medina went to trial for a third time where it was ruled that the aggravated and heinous nature of the murder outweighed the history of mental illness, thus resulting in Medina’s original conviction to be upheld.
Sources: The Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ) 11/20/03 (2003 WLNR 17937568), The Arizona Republic 1/14/10 (2010 WLNR 773304), AP Alert1/14/10 – AZ 01:51:03.
Manuel Ovante – Latino, age 21
Sentenced in Maricopa County, Arizona
By: a jury
Date of crime: June 11, 2008
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Ovante was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated assault. The first homicide was Jordan Trujillo (age 29) and an unidentified man (age 18) who was seriously injured with multiple gun shot wounds. Hours later Damien Vickers (age 18) was found half naked and dead. It was determined that all three victims were together originally and Vickers was taken alive, died at another location, and then his body was later dumped in the alley were he was found. Ovante admitted to being under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the shootings.
Sources: The Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ) 7/16/08 (2008 WLNR 26449736), azfamily 2/25/10 (http://www.azfamily.com/news/Convicted-killer-gets-life-sentence-for-triple-shooting-that-left-2-dead-85410777.html), AP Alert 2/26/10 – AZ 01:13:04.
By: a jury
Date of crime: June 11, 2008
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Ovante was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated assault. The first homicide was Jordan Trujillo (age 29) and an unidentified man (age 18) who was seriously injured with multiple gun shot wounds. Hours later Damien Vickers (age 18) was found half naked and dead. It was determined that all three victims were together originally and Vickers was taken alive, died at another location, and then his body was later dumped in the alley were he was found. Ovante admitted to being under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the shootings.
Sources: The Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ) 7/16/08 (2008 WLNR 26449736), azfamily 2/25/10 (http://www.azfamily.com/news/Convicted-killer-gets-life-sentence-for-triple-shooting-that-left-2-dead-85410777.html), AP Alert 2/26/10 – AZ 01:13:04.
Steven Parker – Asian, age 32
Sentenced in Maricopa County, Arizona
By: a jury
Date of crime: September 24, 2005
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Parker was found guilty of the murder of his neighbors Wayne Smith and his wife Faye, who were found stabbed, beaten and robbed in their Phoenix home. Investigators then say Parker borrowed a car to drive to California, then to Mexico before abandoning the car in San Diego. He was later arrested in Las Vegas. Parker was charged with two counts of murder, one count of burglary and one count of kidnapping.
Sources: Fox 11 News Arizona 5/12/10 (www.fox11az.com/news/local/93486504.html), Phoenix Criminal Law News 5/13/10 (http://phoenixcriminallawnews.com/2010/05/death-penalty-for-steven-parker.html), 5/12/10 AP Alert – AZ 00:56:27, 5/25/10 AP Alert – AZ 11:30:18.
By: a jury
Date of crime: September 24, 2005
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Parker was found guilty of the murder of his neighbors Wayne Smith and his wife Faye, who were found stabbed, beaten and robbed in their Phoenix home. Investigators then say Parker borrowed a car to drive to California, then to Mexico before abandoning the car in San Diego. He was later arrested in Las Vegas. Parker was charged with two counts of murder, one count of burglary and one count of kidnapping.
Sources: Fox 11 News Arizona 5/12/10 (www.fox11az.com/news/local/93486504.html), Phoenix Criminal Law News 5/13/10 (http://phoenixcriminallawnews.com/2010/05/death-penalty-for-steven-parker.html), 5/12/10 AP Alert – AZ 00:56:27, 5/25/10 AP Alert – AZ 11:30:18.
Edward James Rose – Latino, age 19
Sentenced in Maricopa County, Arizona
By: a jury
Date of crime: July 27, 2007
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Officer George Cortez Jr. (age 23) was shot during the arrest of Rose on suspicion of attempting to cash a bad check at a store. Prosecutors pointed to aggravating factors to support the death sentence. Factors included: Cortez being killed in the line of duty, Rose committing the murder while on probation, another serious crime occurring at the same time, and that it being committed for monetary purposes. The murder was also recorded on a surveillance video by a camera in the store. Rose’s girlfriend, Norma Lisa Lopez (age 21), distracted Cortez allowing Rose to shoot him. Lopez was charged with second-degree murder.
Sources: Arizona Republic (AZ) 7/29/07 (2007 WLNR 27590975), Arizona Republic (AZ) 7/30/07 (2007 WLNR 27592039), Arizona Republic (AZ) 8/1/07 (2007 WLNR 27592751), Arizona Republic (AZ) 9/22/07 (2007 WLNR 27633458), Arizona Republic (AZ) 9/14/10 (2010 WLNR 18286417), 10/19/10 AP Alert – AZ 18:19:28.
By: a jury
Date of crime: July 27, 2007
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Officer George Cortez Jr. (age 23) was shot during the arrest of Rose on suspicion of attempting to cash a bad check at a store. Prosecutors pointed to aggravating factors to support the death sentence. Factors included: Cortez being killed in the line of duty, Rose committing the murder while on probation, another serious crime occurring at the same time, and that it being committed for monetary purposes. The murder was also recorded on a surveillance video by a camera in the store. Rose’s girlfriend, Norma Lisa Lopez (age 21), distracted Cortez allowing Rose to shoot him. Lopez was charged with second-degree murder.
Sources: Arizona Republic (AZ) 7/29/07 (2007 WLNR 27590975), Arizona Republic (AZ) 7/30/07 (2007 WLNR 27592039), Arizona Republic (AZ) 8/1/07 (2007 WLNR 27592751), Arizona Republic (AZ) 9/22/07 (2007 WLNR 27633458), Arizona Republic (AZ) 9/14/10 (2010 WLNR 18286417), 10/19/10 AP Alert – AZ 18:19:28.