Jurors hear ex-Border Patrol agent’s confession in killings

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Jurors within the capital homicide trial of a former U.S. Border Patrol agent have heard a taped interview through which he confesses to the 2018 killings of 4 intercourse employees in South Texas.

If convicted of capital homicide, Juan David Ortiz, 39, faces life in jail with out parole as a result of prosecutors will not be searching for the demise penalty. The trial began on Nov. 28 and is ready to proceed on Monday.

Ortiz, a Navy veteran, was a Border Patrol intelligence supervisor on the time of his arrest in September 2018. Ortiz, who officers have mentioned wasn’t on obligation in the course of the killings and wore civilian garments, is accused of killing Melissa Ramirez, 29; Claudine Anne Luera, 42; Guiselda Alicia Cantu, 35; and Janelle Ortiz, 28.

Every lady was shot within the head and left alongside roads on the outskirts of Laredo in September. One died of blunt drive trauma after being shot.

Juan David Ortiz advised detectives within the video performed in courtroom final week that as he drove alongside a stretch of highway that the ladies frequented, “the monster would come out,” the San Antonio Specific-Information reported. He advised investigators he needed to “clear up the streets,” and referred to the ladies as “trash” and “so soiled.”

Ortiz’s lawyer, Joel Perez, argued in opening statements that investigators had jumped to conclusions, and that his shopper’s confession was “coerced.” He mentioned his shopper was “damaged” and “suicidal” when he made the confession and advised investigators he’d had blackouts. Perez mentioned that Ortiz advised the investigators that he was a conflict veteran who’d been experiencing post-traumatic stress dysfunction and was unable to sleep and was having nightmares. Perez mentioned Ortiz had been placed on “a bunch of psychotic tablets.”

The ex-agent’s arrest was set in movement when a lady, Erika Pena, escaped from him when he pointed a gun at her whereas they had been in his truck at a fuel station on Sept. 14, 2018. Pena, now 31, testified that Ortiz would give her cash for medicine, drive her to purchase them after which they’d have intercourse.

Usually, she mentioned, he was “good, good, humorous, a standard man,” however on Sept. 14, 2018, she acquired a nasty feeling after he advised her he was the “subsequent to final particular person” to have intercourse with Ramirez, who was discovered slain the week earlier. She testified that he was anxious investigators would discover his DNA.

“It made me suppose that he was the one who might need been murdering,” Pena advised the jury.

Luera had been fatally shot on Sept. 13, 2018.

After Pena escaped, Ortiz fled from the fuel station however was later arrested when authorities tracked him to a lodge parking storage.

Within the interview with investigators, Ortiz mentioned that after Ramirez had injected the medicine he’s purchased for her, she’d handed out and that “angered” him. He mentioned that when she regained consciousness, she turned belligerent. Ortiz mentioned that when he stopped in order that she may use the restroom, he shot her behind the top.

Ortiz advised investigators that after choosing up Luera and taking her to get “a repair,” he advised her they need to try the place Ramirez’s physique was discovered. He mentioned she “began freaking out.” She died at a hospital after being shot within the head.

Capt. Federico Calderon of the Webb County Sheriff’s Division testified that officers who arrested Ortiz knew concerning the slayings of Ramirez and Luera, and whereas chasing him after Pena’s escape realized {that a} third physique — later recognized as that of Cantu — had been discovered.

Calderon mentioned it wasn’t till Ortiz’s confession that they realized a few fourth slain lady — later recognized as Janelle Ortiz.

Calderon advised jurors that the details about a fourth sufferer was “volunteered” by Ortiz and “shocked us fully.”

Each Janelle Ortiz and Cantu had been killed within the hours earlier than Juan David Ortiz’s arrest.

Ortiz mentioned on the tape that he’d deliberate to kill himself that evening and that Cantu advised him: “Don’t do it. God loves you.” Then, he mentioned, he shot her within the neck.

The trial is being held in San Antonio, in Bexar County, following a protection request to maneuver the trial from Webb County as a result of in depth media protection.

The Border Patrol positioned Ortiz on indefinite, unpaid suspension after his arrest. When requested final week for an replace on his present employment standing, a Border Patrol official mentioned the company doesn’t touch upon “pending litigation.”