Erickson Dimas-Martinez – Latino, age 21
Sentenced in Benton County, Arkansas
By: a jury
Date of crime: December 30, 2006
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Dimas-Martinez and Uris Magana-Galdamez (age 17), an illegal immigrant, were found of the aggravated robbery and capital murder of Derek Jefferson (age 17) after a party in northwest Arkansas. Prosecutors stated that Dimas-Martinez was giving Jefferson a ride when he order Jefferson to get out of his car, take off his coat and shirt and give him his money ($30). He then shot Jefferson once in the head. Galdamez, who was a passenger in the car, was tried separately as an accomplice due to being a minor. The defense claimed Dimas-Martinez suffered from mental retardation, was abused as a child and even malnourished. Alternatively, prosecutors pointed out that out of the five children in his family, Dimas-Martinez is the only one who has had trouble with the law.
Sources: 10/12/07 AP Alert –AR 14:42:54, CBS 5 KFSM – AR 3/26/10 (http://www.5newsonline.com/news/kfsm-nwa-testimony-continues,0,6717143.story?track=rss), CBS 5 KFSM – AR 3/31/10 (2010 WLNR 6865099), CBS 5 KFSM – AR 4/2/10 (2010 WLNR 7023913).
By: a jury
Date of crime: December 30, 2006
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Dimas-Martinez and Uris Magana-Galdamez (age 17), an illegal immigrant, were found of the aggravated robbery and capital murder of Derek Jefferson (age 17) after a party in northwest Arkansas. Prosecutors stated that Dimas-Martinez was giving Jefferson a ride when he order Jefferson to get out of his car, take off his coat and shirt and give him his money ($30). He then shot Jefferson once in the head. Galdamez, who was a passenger in the car, was tried separately as an accomplice due to being a minor. The defense claimed Dimas-Martinez suffered from mental retardation, was abused as a child and even malnourished. Alternatively, prosecutors pointed out that out of the five children in his family, Dimas-Martinez is the only one who has had trouble with the law.
Sources: 10/12/07 AP Alert –AR 14:42:54, CBS 5 KFSM – AR 3/26/10 (http://www.5newsonline.com/news/kfsm-nwa-testimony-continues,0,6717143.story?track=rss), CBS 5 KFSM – AR 3/31/10 (2010 WLNR 6865099), CBS 5 KFSM – AR 4/2/10 (2010 WLNR 7023913).
Jason Taylor – White, age 23
Sentenced in Saline County, Arkansas
By: a jury
Date of crime: October 12, 2008
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Taylor was convicted of the capital murder and kidnapping of Derrick Utsey (age 28). Although the motive was unclear the evidence and testimony was enough to prove Taylors guilt. Prosecutors proved that Taylor shot Utsey in the head before dragging him into the brush nearby and shooting him again. Taylor’s girlfriend, Christina Head, testified that she had been living with him in a Little Rock motel. Head said Taylor agreed to give Utsey a ride and a few hours later Taylor called her to say that he had shot and killed the man. Utsey was found with the pockets of his pants turned inside out and black electrical tape and a sock around his neck.
Sources: Arkansas News Bureau 10/7/10 (http://arkansasnews.com/2010/10/07/court-affirms-death-sentence/), Leagle 10/7/10 (http://www.leagle.com/xmlResult.aspx?xmldoc=in%20arco%2020101007006.xml&docbase=cslwar3-2007-curr).
By: a jury
Date of crime: October 12, 2008
Prosecution’s case/defense response: Taylor was convicted of the capital murder and kidnapping of Derrick Utsey (age 28). Although the motive was unclear the evidence and testimony was enough to prove Taylors guilt. Prosecutors proved that Taylor shot Utsey in the head before dragging him into the brush nearby and shooting him again. Taylor’s girlfriend, Christina Head, testified that she had been living with him in a Little Rock motel. Head said Taylor agreed to give Utsey a ride and a few hours later Taylor called her to say that he had shot and killed the man. Utsey was found with the pockets of his pants turned inside out and black electrical tape and a sock around his neck.
Sources: Arkansas News Bureau 10/7/10 (http://arkansasnews.com/2010/10/07/court-affirms-death-sentence/), Leagle 10/7/10 (http://www.leagle.com/xmlResult.aspx?xmldoc=in%20arco%2020101007006.xml&docbase=cslwar3-2007-curr).