Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 6, 2006 18:17:42 GMT -5
Killer's fate gets closer to jury's hands
In Hondo, Ramiro F. Gonzales' fate today will be placed in the hands of
jurors who last month needed little time to convict him of capital murder
for the kidnapping, rape, robbery and slaying of Bridget Townsend on Jan.
15, 2001.
The jury of 9 women and 3 men will decide if Gonzales should get the death
penalty or a life sentence for the brutal crimes to which he confessed,
but pleaded not guilty. Gonzalez did not testify during the trial.
The jury convicted Gonzales on Aug. 25 after brief deliberations on the
evidence that Gonzales killed Townsend, 18, after a cocaine-driven
burglary of the Bandera County home she shared with boyfriend Joe Leal,
who was described in court as Gonzales' drug dealer.
Since then, jurors have learned that the defendant already is serving a
life term for kidnapping and raping another woman in 2001.
Testimony in the trial's punishment phase concluded Tuesday. The jury is
slated to hear closing arguments today.
Among the final witnesses was Daneen Milam, a psychologist hired by the
defense to offer evidence intended to lessen Gonzales' punishment.
She described Gonzales, 23, as immature, insecure, paranoid and socially
ill-adjusted. Interviews with Gonzales' family painted a portrait of a
neglected orphan who was sexually abused as a child and began using
alcohol and drugs at 12, Milam said.
Gonzales' mother, Julia Saldaa, abandoned him at birth to his
grandparents, who raised him on a ranch, where Townsend was slain.
Saldaa refused to assist in her son's defense, Milam said.
"Ramiro basically raised himself," the psychologist said.
His father, Jacinto Sanchez Jr. of Hondo, was absent, Milam said, but the
father and son met in Medina County Jail, where both are inmates.
Gonzales failed kindergarten, 6th grade and 7th grade before dropping out
of school as a 16-year-old 8th-grader.
However, under cross-examination by Assistant Attorney General Laura
Baymouth Popps, Milam confirmed that Gonzales spoke of hurting people and
expressed doubt about being able to behave as an inmate.
And although the defense described Gonzales as remorseful for his
misdeeds, he denied the crimes for which he's convicted.
"I never hurt either girl," Gonzales once told Milam, according to
interview notes read at trial. "I've never hurt a girl in my life."
(source: San Antonio Express-News)
In Hondo, Ramiro F. Gonzales' fate today will be placed in the hands of
jurors who last month needed little time to convict him of capital murder
for the kidnapping, rape, robbery and slaying of Bridget Townsend on Jan.
15, 2001.
The jury of 9 women and 3 men will decide if Gonzales should get the death
penalty or a life sentence for the brutal crimes to which he confessed,
but pleaded not guilty. Gonzalez did not testify during the trial.
The jury convicted Gonzales on Aug. 25 after brief deliberations on the
evidence that Gonzales killed Townsend, 18, after a cocaine-driven
burglary of the Bandera County home she shared with boyfriend Joe Leal,
who was described in court as Gonzales' drug dealer.
Since then, jurors have learned that the defendant already is serving a
life term for kidnapping and raping another woman in 2001.
Testimony in the trial's punishment phase concluded Tuesday. The jury is
slated to hear closing arguments today.
Among the final witnesses was Daneen Milam, a psychologist hired by the
defense to offer evidence intended to lessen Gonzales' punishment.
She described Gonzales, 23, as immature, insecure, paranoid and socially
ill-adjusted. Interviews with Gonzales' family painted a portrait of a
neglected orphan who was sexually abused as a child and began using
alcohol and drugs at 12, Milam said.
Gonzales' mother, Julia Saldaa, abandoned him at birth to his
grandparents, who raised him on a ranch, where Townsend was slain.
Saldaa refused to assist in her son's defense, Milam said.
"Ramiro basically raised himself," the psychologist said.
His father, Jacinto Sanchez Jr. of Hondo, was absent, Milam said, but the
father and son met in Medina County Jail, where both are inmates.
Gonzales failed kindergarten, 6th grade and 7th grade before dropping out
of school as a 16-year-old 8th-grader.
However, under cross-examination by Assistant Attorney General Laura
Baymouth Popps, Milam confirmed that Gonzales spoke of hurting people and
expressed doubt about being able to behave as an inmate.
And although the defense described Gonzales as remorseful for his
misdeeds, he denied the crimes for which he's convicted.
"I never hurt either girl," Gonzales once told Milam, according to
interview notes read at trial. "I've never hurt a girl in my life."
(source: San Antonio Express-News)