GUILTY TX - Sheriff: U.S. border patrol agent suspected of killing 4 women, 15 Sept 2018

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Victims' families confront Border Patrol agent who allegedly killed 4 Texas women


LAREDO, Texas – Families of the victims allegedly killed by a U.S. Border Patrol agent got an early look at the defendant Thursday during a pretrial hearing.

Juan David Ortiz, dressed in a short-sleeved orange jumpsuit, shuffled into the fourth-floor courtroom of Webb County District Judge Oscar Hale, shackled at the wrists, waist and ankles.
[.....]
At the hearing, Ortiz's attorney, Joel Perez, said he planned to file a motion asking to reduce Ortiz's bail, currently set at around $2.5 million. Webb and Zapata County District Attorney Isidro Alaniz said his office would vigorously contest any bail reduction. Another pretrial hearing was set for Oct. 3.
[.....]
Thursday's hearing was more subdued than an earlier hearing with Ortiz, where Cristina Benavides, Ramirez's mother, stood and yelled at the defendant, "¡Asesino maldito!" or "Damn murderer!", as bailiffs led him out of the courtroom. No such outburst occurred Thursday and Ortiz mostly avoided eye contacts with the visitors.
 
from court site:

04/25/2019 Pre-Trial Hearing (1:30 PM) (Judicial Officer Hale, O. J., Jr.)
04/25/2019 Notes-Hearing Notes
CASE CALLED. HONORABLE JUDGE OSCAR J HALE JR. PRESIDING. DAVID LAUREL COURT REPORTER. HEARING ON: PRETRIAL. DISTRICT ATTORNEY ISIDRO ALANIZ, ASST D.A. MARICELA JACAMAN PRESENT FOR STATE. ATTORNEY JOEL PEREZ, ATTORNEY RAYMOND FUCHS PRESENT FOR DEFENSE. DEFENDANT PRESENT IN CUSTODY. DEFENSE ANNOUNCED NOTHING TO URGE, WILL FILE WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS TO REDUCE BOND. CASE RESET TO 10/03/2019 AT 1.30 PM.

04/25/2019 Writ Of Habeas Corpus
APPLICATION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS (BOND REDUCTION) WITH ORDER FOR A SETTING AND ORDER ATTACHED, SENT TO COURT COORDINATOR.

04/25/2019 Motion-Miscellaneous
DEFENDANT'S FORMAL REQUEST FOR COMPLIANCE WITH ARTICLE 39.14 OF THE TEXAS CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
10/03/2019 Final Pre-Trial (1:30 PM) (Judicial Officer Hale, O. J., Jr.)

link: http://publicaccess.webbcountytx.gov/PublicAccess/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=756729
 
Bond hearing delayed in BP agent murder case

The bond hearing scheduled for next week in the case of the Border Patrol agent indicted on a capital murder charge for allegedly killing four Laredo women in September will be rescheduled to a later date.
[.....]
However, Perez filed a motion for continuance July 30 stating that he has a trial scheduled to begin on Monday in the 437th District Court in Bexar County.

It is unclear when or if Hale will reschedule the hearing. There is a pretrial hearing scheduled for Oct. 3.
[.....]
During an April 25 pretrial hearing, Alaniz told the court that the District Attorney’s office will be maintaining a no bond or deciding on no bond reduction for Ortiz.
[.....]
It’s unclear if his attorneys are seeking a specific bond amount.
 
Thursday, August 8th:
*Pretrial Hearing (@ 10 am CT) - TX – Melissa Ramirez (29) (found Sept. 4, 2018, Laredo), Claudine Anne Luera (42) (found alive but died later in hospital Sept. 13, 2018, Laredo), Grisela Alicia Hernandez Cantu aka “Jane Doe” (35) (found 9/14/18, Laredo) & Nicky Enriquez aka Janelle Ortiz aka Humberto Ortiz aka “John Doe” (28) (found either late 9/14 or early 9/15/18, transgender woman, Laredo) – *Juan David Ortiz (35) charged (9/15/18) & arraigned (1/10/19) with 4 counts of capital (Felony) murder, 1 count of 2nd degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, 1 count of 3rd degree unlawful restraint & evading arrest detention (Class A misdemeanor). Plead not guilty. $2.63M bond. Denied bond reduction (10/18/18).
Court hearings from 10/17/18 thru 1/10/19 reference post #60 here:
TX - Sheriff: U.S. border patrol agent suspected of killing 4 women, 15 September 2018

4/25/19 Update: Defense asks for bond reduction. No further info on this. Next pretrial hearing on 10/3.
7/30/19 Update: Defense files for continuance. Next hearing on 8/8. 8/8/19 Update: No appearance. Next is final pretrial hearing on 10/3. 8/4/19: Hearing on 8/8 might be delayed. Will be for bond reduction.
 
Thursday, Oct. 3rd:
*Pretrial Hearing (@ 1:30pm CT) - TX – Melissa Ramirez (29) (found Sept. 4, 2018, Laredo), Claudine Anne Luera (42) (found alive but died later in hospital Sept. 13, 2018, Laredo), Grisela Alicia Hernandez Cantu aka “Jane Doe” (35) (found 9/14/18, Laredo) & Nicky Enriquez aka Janelle Ortiz aka Humberto Ortiz aka “John Doe” (28) (found either late 9/14 or early 9/15/18, transgender woman, Laredo) – *Juan David Ortiz (35) charged (9/15/18) & arraigned (1/10/19) with 4 counts of capital (Felony) murder, 1 count of 2nd degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, 1 count of 3rd degree unlawful restraint & evading arrest detention (Class A misdemeanor). Plead not guilty. $2.63M bond. Denied bond reduction (10/18/18).
Court hearings from 10/17/18 thru 1/10/19 reference post #60 here:
TX - Sheriff: U.S. border patrol agent suspected of killing 4 women, 15 September 2018

4/25/19 Update: Defense asks for bond reduction. No further info on this. Next pretrial hearing on 10/3.
7/30/19 Update: Defense files for continuance. Next hearing on 8/8. 8/8/19: No appearance-cancelled. Next is pretrial hearing on 10/3. Motions hearing on 10/4.
 
Since I last posted besides yesterday's post - I finally got into the court site - and here are the updates on this case.

08/08/2019 CANCELED Writ of Habeas Corpus (10:00 AM) (Judicial Officer Hale, O. J., Jr.)
Cancelled

08/13/2019 Order Of Continuance
ORDER ON MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE SIGNED BY JUDGE OSCAR J. HALE JR.
08/13/2019 Fax Transmittal
FAX REGARDING ORDER ON MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE SENT TO ATTORNEY JOEL PEREZ AND ATTORNEY MARISELA JACAMAN BY COURT COORDINATOR.

08/23/2019 Sealed Document
*SEALED* LETTER FROM ATTORNEY JOEL PEREZ, RE: FILING OF EXPARTE SEALED MOTIONS.
08/23/2019 Ex Parte Motion
*SEALED* EXPARTE SEALED MOTION
08/23/2019 Ex Parte Motion
*SEALED* EXPARTE SEALED MOTION

08/26/2019 Order-Miscellaneous
*SEALED* ORDER ON EXPARTE SEALED MOTION
08/26/2019 Order-Miscellaneous
*SEALED* ORDER ON EXPARTE SEALED MOTION

09/30/2019 Application for Subpoena of Witness
APPLICATION FOR SUBPOENA OF WITNESSES
09/30/2019 Subpoena Issued
SUBPOENA ISSUED (4)

10/02/2019 Motion-Miscellaneous
MOTION TO ALLOW THE STATE TO RECORD WITNESS TESTIMONY, FILED FOR HEARING.

10/03/2019 Final Pre-Trial (10:30 AM) (Judicial Officer Hale, O. J., Jr.)

10/04/2019Motions (8:30 AM) (Judicial Officer Hale, O. J., Jr.)

link: http://publicaccess.webbcountytx.gov/PublicAccess/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=756729
 
Friday, October 4th:
*Motions Hearing (@ 8:30am CT) - TX – Melissa Ramirez (29) (found Sept. 4, 2018, Laredo), Claudine Anne Luera (42) (found alive but died later in hospital Sept. 13, 2018, Laredo), Grisela Alicia Hernandez Cantu aka “Jane Doe” (35) (found 9/14/18, Laredo) & Nicky Enriquez aka Janelle Ortiz aka Humberto Ortiz aka “John Doe” (28) (found either late 9/14 or early 9/15/18, transgender woman, Laredo) – *Juan David Ortiz (35) charged (9/15/18) & arraigned (1/10/19) with 4 counts of capital (Felony) murder, 1 count of 2nd degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, 1 count of 3rd degree unlawful restraint & evading arrest detention (Class A misdemeanor). Plead not guilty. $2.63M bond. Denied bond reduction (10/18/18).
Court hearings from 10/17/18 thru 1/10/19 reference post #60 here:
TX - Sheriff: U.S. border patrol agent suspected of killing 4 women, 15 September 2018

4/25/19 Update: Defense asks for bond reduction. No further info on this. Next pretrial hearing on 10/3.
7/30/19 Update: Defense files for continuance. Next hearing on 8/8. 8/8/19: No appearance-cancelled. Next is pretrial hearing on 10/3. Motions hearing on 10/4.
 
10/02/2019 Motion-Miscellaneous
MOTION TO ALLOW THE STATE TO RECORD WITNESS TESTIMONY, FILED FOR HEARING.

10/03/2019 Final Pre-Trial (10:30 AM) (Judicial Officer Hale, O. J., Jr.)

10/03/2019 Notes-Hearing Notes
CASE CALLED. HONORABLE JUDGE OSCAR J HALE JR. PRESIDING. DAVID LAUREL COURT REPORTER. HEARING ON: WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS FOR BOND REDUCTION. ISIDRO ALANIZ, JOAQUIN RODRIGUEZ PRESENT FOR STATE. JOEL PEREZ, RAYMOND FUCHS PRESENT FOR DEFENSE. DEFENDANT PRESENT IN CUSTODY. OPENING STATEMENT STATE - 10:42 AM - 10:53 AM DEFENSE - RESERVED STATE'S WITNESSES -ERICKA PENA (SWORN) - 10:55 AM - 11:46 AM STATE'S EXHIBIT 1,2,3,4 ADMITTED CROSS EXAMINATION - 11:46 AM - 12:00 PM REDIRECT - 12:00 PM - 12:02 PM LUNCH STATE WITNESSES -CAPT. FRED TREVINO (SWORN) - 1:30 PM - 2:39 PM STATE EXHIBIT 5-17, 26, 28-36 ADMITTED STATE EXHIBIT 18-22, 24, 25 NOT ADMITTED CROSS - 2:40 PM - 2:50 PM DEFENSE WITNESSES -GUADALUPE ROCHA (SWORN) - 3:12 PM - 3:19 PM CROSS - 3:20 PM - 3:25 PM -PEDRO GONZALEZ (SWORN) - 3:25 PM - 3:31 PM CROSS - 3:31 PM - 3:35 PM -GERARDO SOLIZ (SWORN) - 3:36 PM - 3:44 PM CROSS - 3:44 PM - 3:49 PM CLOSING STATE - 3:50 - 3:57 PM DEFENSE - WAIVED WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS - DENIED. BOND TO REMAIN AS IS ($2,510,000 C/B/S TOTAL). NO FUTURE DATE GIVEN.

10/04/2019 CANCELED Motions (8:30 AM) (Judicial Officer Hale, O. J., Jr.)
Other

link: http://publicaccess.webbcountytx.gov/PublicAccess/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=756729
 
Just now having a chance to go thru my early October cases.... :rolleyes:

Alleged serial killer BP agent to have final pre-trial hearing today

The Border Patrol agent accused of allegedly killing four women last year is set to have a final pre-trial Thursday [10/10].
[.....]
He is also set to have a motions hearing Friday [10/11], and a subpoena was issued on Monday [10/14] for four witnesses.

The witnesses are Ericka Peña, Webb County Sheriff's Office Capt. Federico Calderon, the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory's Sean Daniel and Webb County Medical Examiner Corinne Stern.
 
Thursday, October 10th:
*Pretrial Hearing (@ 8:30am CT) - TX – Melissa Ramirez (29) (found Sept. 4, 2018, Laredo), Claudine Anne Luera (42) (found alive but died later in hospital Sept. 13, 2018, Laredo), Grisela Alicia Hernandez Cantu aka “Jane Doe” (35) (found 9/14/18, Laredo) & Nicky Enriquez aka Janelle Ortiz aka Humberto Ortiz aka “John Doe” (28) (found either late 9/14 or early 9/15/18, transgender woman, Laredo) – *Juan David Ortiz (35) charged (9/15/18) & arraigned (1/10/19) with 4 counts of capital (Felony) murder, 1 count of 2nd degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, 1 count of 3rd degree unlawful restraint & evading arrest detention (Class A misdemeanor). Plead not guilty. $2.63M bond. Denied bond reduction (10/18/18 & 10/3/19).
Court hearings from 10/17/18 thru 1/10/19 reference post #60 here:
TX - Sheriff: U.S. border patrol agent suspected of killing 4 women, 15 September 2018

4/25/19 Update: Defense asks for bond reduction. No further info on this. Next pretrial hearing on 10/3.
7/30/19 Update: Defense files for continuance. Next hearing on 8/8. 8/8/19: No appearance-cancelled. Next is pretrial hearing on 10/3. Motions hearing on 10/4.
10/4/19 Update: Defense-waived Writ of Habeas Corpus-Denied. Bond to remain as is ($2,510,000). Motion hearing on 10/4/19 has been cancelled. Pretrial hearing on 10/10, motions hearing on 10/11 & subpoena was issued on Monday, 10/14 for four witnesses. The witnesses are Ericka Peña, Webb County Sheriff's Office Capt. Federico Calderon, the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory's Sean Daniel and Webb County Medical Examiner Corinne Stern.


 
I have to say - there is NOTHING in the court site about these hearings on 10/10, 10/11 or 10/14. That info I got from the article I posted above (post #73).


Friday, October 11th:

*Motions Hearing (@ 8:30am CT) - TX – Melissa Ramirez (29) (found Sept. 4, 2018, Laredo), Claudine Anne Luera (42) (found alive but died later in hospital Sept. 13, 2018, Laredo), Grisela Alicia Hernandez Cantu aka “Jane Doe” (35) (found 9/14/18, Laredo) & Nicky Enriquez aka Janelle Ortiz aka Humberto Ortiz aka “John Doe” (28) (found either late 9/14 or early 9/15/18, transgender woman, Laredo) – *Juan David Ortiz (35) charged (9/15/18) & arraigned (1/10/19) with 4 counts of capital (Felony) murder, 1 count of 2nd degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, 1 count of 3rd degree unlawful restraint & evading arrest detention (Class A misdemeanor). Plead not guilty. $2.63M bond. Denied bond reduction (10/18/18 & 10/3/19).
Court hearings from 10/17/18 thru 1/10/19 reference post #60 here:
TX - Sheriff: U.S. border patrol agent suspected of killing 4 women, 15 September 2018

4/25/19 Update: Defense asks for bond reduction. No further info on this. Next pretrial hearing on 10/3.
7/30/19 Update: Defense files for continuance. Next hearing on 8/8. 8/8/19: No appearance-cancelled. Next is pretrial hearing on 10/3. Motions hearing on 10/4.
10/4/19 Update: Defense-waived Writ of Habeas Corpus-Denied. Bond to remain as is ($2,510,000). Motion hearing on 10/4/19 has been cancelled. Pretrial hearing on 10/10, motions hearing on 10/11 & subpoena was issued on Monday, 10/14 for four witnesses. The witnesses are Ericka Peña, Webb County Sheriff's Office Capt. Federico Calderon, the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory's Sean Daniel and Webb County Medical Examiner Corinne Stern.
10/10/19 Update: No info on hearing held as of 10/11/19 on court site.
 
Still nothing on the court site about theses last hearings, but I will put this one here anyway... just in case it IS happening.

Monday, October 14th:
*Hearing (Subpoena for witness) (@ am CT) - TX – Melissa Ramirez (29) (found Sept. 4, 2018, Laredo), Claudine Anne Luera (42) (found alive but died later in hospital Sept. 13, 2018, Laredo), Grisela Alicia Hernandez Cantu aka “Jane Doe” (35) (found 9/14/18, Laredo) & Nicky Enriquez aka Janelle Ortiz aka Humberto Ortiz aka “John Doe” (28) (found either late 9/14 or early 9/15/18, transgender woman, Laredo) – *Juan David Ortiz (35) charged (9/15/18) & arraigned (1/10/19) with 4 counts of capital (Felony) murder, 1 count of 2nd degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, 1 count of 3rd degree unlawful restraint & evading arrest detention (Class A misdemeanor). Plead not guilty. $2.63M bond. Denied bond reduction (10/18/18 & 10/3/19).
Court hearings from 10/17/18 thru 1/10/19 reference post #60 here:
TX - Sheriff: U.S. border patrol agent suspected of killing 4 women, 15 September 2018

4/25/19 Update: Defense asks for bond reduction. No further info on this. Next pretrial hearing on 10/3.
7/30/19 Update: Defense files for continuance. Next hearing on 8/8. 8/8/19: No appearance-cancelled. Next is pretrial hearing on 10/3. Motions hearing on 10/4.
10/4/19 Update: Hearing was cancelled. Defense-waived Writ of Habeas Corpus-Denied. Bond to remain as is ($2,510,000). Motion hearing on 10/4/19 has been cancelled. Pretrial hearing on 10/10, motions hearing on 10/11 & subpoena was issued on Monday, 10/14 for four witnesses. The witnesses are Ericka Peña, Webb County Sheriff's Office Capt. Federico Calderon, the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory's Sean Daniel and Webb County Medical Examiner Corinne Stern.


 
Not much going on with this case....

10/04/2019 CANCELED Motions (8:30 AM) (Judicial Officer Hale, O. J., Jr.) Other

10/07/2019 Order-Miscellaneous
ORDER ON APPLICATION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS SIGNED BY JUDGE OSCAR J. HALE JR.

10/07/2019 Subpoena Executed
SUBPOENA SUMMONING DR. CORINNE STERN RETURNED AS EXECUTED DOS: 10/01/2019

10/07/2019 Subpoena Executed
SUBPOENA SUMMONING ERICKA PENA RETURNED AS EXECUTED DOS: 10/01/2019

12/17/2019 Ex Parte Motion
****SEALED**** EX PARTE MOTION

01/03/2020 Order-Miscellaneous
***EX PARTE***

link: http://publicaccess.webbcountytx.gov/PublicAccess/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=756729
 
Finally - something on the docket!

04/14/2020 Order Setting Hearing
ORDER SETTING HEARING ON MOTION TO DETERMINE ADMISSIBILITY OF WRITTEN OR ORAL STATEMENTS OF DEFENDANT OUTSIDE PRESENCE OF JURY (FIAT) SIGNED BY JUDGE OSCAR J. HALE JR.

04/14/2020 Order Setting Hearing
ORDER SETTING HEARING ON JACKSON V. DENNO MOTION FOR HEARING ON VOLUNTARINESS OF ANY ADMISSION OR CONFESSION WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL (FIAT) SIGNED BY JUDGE OSCAR J. HALE JR.

04/14/2020 Order Setting Hearing
ORDER SETTING HEARING ON MOTION TO SUPPRESS (FIAT) SIGNED BY JUDGE OSCAR J. HALE JR.

06/09/2020 Application for Subpoena of Witness
APPLICATION FOR SUBPOENA OF WITNESS.

06/09/2020 Subpoena Issued
SUBPOENA ISSUED AS TO TEXAS RANGER E.J. SALINAS, CAPTAIN FEDERICO CALDERON, TROOPER ABIEL OBREGON, AND TROOPER JOHNHENRY BRADSHAW. SIGNED APPLICATION FOR SUBPOENA OF WITNESS ATTACHED.

06/12/2020 Exhibit List
EXHIBIT LIST
06/12/2020 Exhibit
STATE'S EXHIBIT 1
thru Exhibit 36

06/15/2020 Notes-Miscellaneous
EXHIBITS HAND DELIVERED TO RECORDS MANAGEMENT.

06/17/2020 Exhibit
EXHIBITS LIST/ PICTURES 1-17/ PICTURES 26-36 PLACED IN BOX 188

06/17/2020 Miscellaneous Filing
STATE'S TRANSLATION OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE DOCUMENTS PURSUANT TO TEXAS RULE OF EVIDENCE 1009

06/29/2020 Motions Setting (9:30 AM) (Judicial Officer Hale, O. J., Jr.)

link: http://publicaccess.webbcountytx.gov/PublicAccess/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=756729
 
Monday, June 29th:
*Motions Setting Hearing (@ 9:30am CT) - TX – Melissa Ramirez (29) (found Sept. 4, 2018, Laredo), Claudine Anne Luera (42) (found alive but died later in hospital Sept. 13, 2018, Laredo), Grisela Alicia Hernandez Cantu aka “Jane Doe” (35) (found 9/14/18, Laredo) & Nicky Enriquez aka Janelle Ortiz aka Humberto Ortiz aka “John Doe” (28) (found either late 9/14 or early 9/15/18, transgender woman, Laredo) – *Juan David Ortiz (35) charged (9/15/18) & arraigned (1/10/19) with 4 counts of capital (Felony) murder, 1 count of 2nd degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, 1 count of 3rd degree unlawful restraint & evading arrest detention (Class A misdemeanor). Plead not guilty. $2.63M bond. Denied bond reduction (10/18/18 & 10/3/19).
Court hearings from 10/17/18 thru 1/10/19 reference post #60 here:
TX - Sheriff: U.S. border patrol agent suspected of killing 4 women, 15 September 2018

4/25/19 Update: Defense asks for bond reduction. No further info on this. Next pretrial hearing on 10/3.
7/30/19 Update: Defense files for continuance. Next hearing on 8/8. 8/8/19: No appearance-cancelled. Next is pretrial hearing on 10/3. Motions hearing on 10/4.
10/4/19 Update: Defense-waived Writ of Habeas Corpus-Denied. Bond to remain as is ($2,510,000). Motion hearing on 10/4/19 has been cancelled. Pretrial hearing on 10/10, motions hearing on 10/11 & subpoena was issued on Monday, 10/14 for four witnesses. The witnesses are Ericka Peña, Webb County Sheriff's Office Capt. Federico Calderon, the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory's Sean Daniel and Webb County Medical Examiner Corinne Stern.
4/14/20: Order setting hearing on motion to determine admissibility of written or oral statements of defendant outside presence of Jury (Fiat); setting hearing on Jackson vs. Denno Motion for hearing on voluntariness of any admission or confession whether writeen or Oral (Fiat) signed by Judge Oscar J. Hale, Jr. Order setting hearing on motion to suppress (Fiat) signed by Judge Hale. 6/17/20: State's translation of foreign language documents pursuant to Texas rule of evidence. Motion hearing on 6/29/20.
 

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