Posted on 07/10/2008 1:54:33 PM PDT by La Enchiladita
Several jurors wept Monday as they listened to emotional testimony from those who lost loved ones three years ago because Juan Manuel Alvarez parked his vehicle on railway tracks, triggering the worst train wreck in Metrolink history.
The tears flowed from jurors as well as witnesses on the first day of testimony in the penalty phase of Alvarez's trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court. At one point, presiding Judge William R. Pounders told the prosecutors and defense attorneys that he noticed jurors were "having a hard time."
"Almost all are crying," Pounders said. He later advised the panel of nine women and three men that "if you start to lose it, and you can't take it anymore for a while, let me know and we'll take an extra break."
The same jurors last month convicted Alvarez of first-degree murder. Now, they must decide what the punishment should be for the former Compton laborer, who on Jan. 26, 2005, parked his sport utility vehicle on the railway tracks near downtown Glendale and fled.
A Metrolink passenger train slammed into his vehicle, causing it to derail and collide with two other trains. In addition to the 11 passengers killed, at least 180 were injured.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Wasn’t he trying to commit suicide?
He’ll die of old age on Death Row or wherever they stick them after the state refuses to execute anyone cuz it might hurt them.
Prayers of justice and strength for the victims families
“...He’ll die of old age on Death Row ...”
That is why I have reevaluated my stand on the death penalty. Some crimes beg for a life sentence in general population, like child molestation. Let this bastard rot in prison. Utilize the money and effort in other areas of law enforcement.
It’s a messy one, for sure.
side note and off topic.
What do you think of the Louisiana death penalty for sexual predators getting tossed by the Supreme Court?
Shouldn’t the state have the right to take out the trash anyway it so chooses to even in this case where the guy was looking to off himself but couldn’t even pull that off, rather then preserve them artificially until they croak naturally or at the hands of another inmate?
The death penalty insures that they get solitary confinement for at least 15 years before execution.
I remember that crime, it was big news.
Shaking my head over the population on Death Row, imagining the court costs on that, not to mention feeding them, etc.
No, the prosecution pretty well proved that was not what he was doing, never had a suicide motive. Family members of the murdered didn't buy that defense story either. The previous trial coverage is catalogued under keyword 'juanmanuelalvarez.' FReepers caught on to what he was doing within hours after the incident.
Thanks!
What do you think of the Louisiana death penalty for sexual predators getting tossed by the Supreme Court?
That law was targeted at offenders who forcibly rape any child under the age of 12. The supremes do not live in the real world, especially Kennedy.
Here’s the filing by the perp.
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/07pdf/07-343.pdf
At least one child murderer on death row in California has been deemed too insane to execute.
??????
Just out to cause grief ?
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