Posted on 05/02/2003 6:20:27 PM PDT by Michael2001
LOS ANGELES -- A small but growing number of people from Los Angeles have figured out how to kill someone in cold blood and dodge the law. Team Four Reports finds out how in this exclusive report.
A small but growing number of people from Los Angeles have figured out how to kill someone in cold blood and dodge the law. Team Four Reports finds out how in this exclusive report.
"All my dreams, all our promises were ripped away," said Terri March.
Last April, when March kissed her husband, David, an L.A. county sheriff's deputy, goodbye, she had no idea it would be forever.
"I know he was willing to die for the job. I don't know that, in my eyes, him being sucker punched was the way he wanted to die," said March.
On this busy intersection in Irwindale, the deputy sheriff thought he spotted a stolen car. The driver pulled over, got out and met March halfway to the patrol car. There, the two struggled. That's when the suspect, Armando Garcia, allegedly pulled a gun and shot the deputy several times at point-blank range.
"He took one round straight to the temple of his head, dropping him immediately to his knees," said witness Chris Stotts.
David March's alleged killer not only got away, he escaped to a place where no one could ever bring him back -- even though authorities say they know exactly where he is hiding.
Jack Morales also understands the "nevers" and the "what might have beens." Somewhere, his son's soul lies in limbo -- resting in a father's memory. Four years ago, Jack's son, Steven -- then 12 -- was playing in front of his house.
"I sat down on the sofa. We hear two loud shots outside. My wife and I jump to the door and look -- we actually see the person," said Morales.
Alvaro Jara allegedly fired the bullets, which were meant for a rival gang member, but ended up in young Steven's head.
"I'm never going to go (to) his wedding. I'm never going to go his graduation. I'm not going to be there to buy his car... The bullet went through Steven, my wife, my kids and our friends. My son deserves justice," said Morales.
But Steven's killer escaped to Mexico and four years after his son's murder, Jack Morales is still waiting for the? convicted killer's extradition.
"My wife used to say that the cancer she developed was from the stress of what this individual caused on her. My wife would say he should be charged with two murders if she passed and she passed last year," said Morales.
Morales's wife died of cancer last year, before seeing her son's killer behind bars. Why? Because the suspects accused of killing Steven Morales and David March are not only fugitives, they are living free in Mexico. Even though the L.A. County Sheriff's Department says they know where fugitives like Alvaro Jara are hiding.
After fleeing to Mexico, Jara was charged with one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder. Jara's brother is also wanted for murder in Southern California -- he too fled to Mexico.
"He is getting away with murder," said Robert Barker.
Jara and at least 67 other suspects from Los Angeles County are all getting away with murder. They are all living in Mexico and are all wanted for murder, but authorities say none of them have been extradited.
A Mexican Supreme Court ruling handed down in 2001 forbids Mexico to extradite any person, whether or not a Mexican citizen, if that person faces a sentence of either life imprisonment or death. Their decision says doing so would violate the country's constitution, calling it cruel and unusual punishment.
"Our laws are our laws," said Enrique Cepede, the Mexican attorney general's representative in Los Angeles.
Mexican authorities claim their country is no longer the safe haven for criminals people talked about in years past. In 2002, Mexico claims 140 people were arrested for extradition to the United States at the request of their American counterparts.
"Look, he's an American citizen. He committed murder here. Our laws are our laws and what we're asking is that he serves his time here. My son deserves justice," said Morales.
"Every day (I hope) I am going to get a phone call that they got him and at the end of the day I have not gotten that phone call," said March.
What do you say to the grieving widow of a murdered L.A. sheriff's deputy and the father of a murdered 12-year-old boy whose killers live carefree in Mexico?
"We are sorry for them, but these laws have been ruled by our supreme court and shall stand," said Cepede.
And while the policies of the United States and Mexico remain far apart, what lies in between are unresolved lives.
"For parents to lose a child... you don't get over it. It's part of you every day.. I don't think there is healing because there is a void in you that's gone," said Morales.
There are more than 800 open extradition cases involving murder, rape and narcotics charges. The defendants are all fugitives wanted by the law here, but living in freedom in Mexico -- despite of what laws may have been broken.
California is a renegade province of Mexico which will soon be reunified with the motherland.
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