The deadly crash happened in October '03 when the coyotes tried to outrun a county sheriff's deputy. I worked for a long time with Emilia Lee's son...her death was hard on many of us in the community.
Posted on 02/03/2006 5:22:08 AM PST by Borax Queen
Jurors began deliberating the fates Thursday of two suspected illegal-entrant smugglers who authorities say were involved in a crash that killed five in Sierra Vista.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Ferraro told jurors in federal court in Tucson that once they weigh the "avalanche of evidence" against Jose Luis Zepeda-Cruz, 25, and Jimir Valle-Martinez, 22, they will no doubt return a guilty verdict on all 15 counts they face.
According to authorities and court testimony, Valle-Martinez was traveling between 88 and 96 mph when he lost control of the Ford F-350 pickup he was driving, skidded sideways, crashed over a median and vaulted into nine cars waiting at a stoplight near a Fort Huachuca gate.
Three of the 19 illegal entrants crammed into the pickup truck died along with newlyweds James Lee, 75, and Emilia Guthrie Lee, 71, of Huachuca City. At least 25 other people were hurt.
Zepeda-Cruz and Valle-Martinez were indicted along with Julio Garcia, 30, and Wilbert Garcia, 21, on one count each of conspiracy, seven counts of bringing illegal entrants into the country and seven counts of transporting illegal entrants.
Both Garcias, who are not related, entered plea agreements and are awaiting sentencing.
"These defendants were willing to put many, many people's lives at risk just to make a buck," Ferraro told jurors during closing arguments.
According to authorities, Zepeda-Cruz met up with a group of illegal entrants south of the border, walked for 2 1/2 days and then met up with Julio Garcia and Valle-Martinez near Sierra Vista.
The group split up and crammed into two pickup trucks for the drive to Phoenix. Valle-Martinez drove one of the trucks, Ferraro said.
When Valle-Martinez's truck nearly struck another car, a Cochise County sheriff's sergeant gave chase.
Realizing the driver wasn't going to stop, and fearing an accident, Ferraro said the sergeant backed off, alerted other officers and continued to follow the truck at a distance.
Within minutes, the driver was traveling 100 mph, weaving in and out of traffic and ignoring stoplights, Ferraro said. Officers deployed spikes just near Arizona 90 and Buffalo Soldier Trail. Authorities at the time said the driver may have been trying to avoid the spikes when the crash occurred.
A DNA expert testified that Valle-Martinez's DNA was found on the steering wheel, the turn signal, the gearshift and a deployed air bag.
Valle-Martinez's defense attorney, Leslie Bowman, told jurors her client's DNA could have ended up on those items when he got out of the truck.
There is no direct evidence that Valle-Martinez conspired with anyone to bring the illegal entrants into the United States or transport them, Bowman said. None of the officers who chased the truck and none of other passengers identified Valle-Martinez as the driver, Bowman pointed out.
Saul Huerta Jr., Zepeda-Cruz's attorney, conceded his client's guilt but argued that he couldn't have known the driver would behave so recklessly and endanger anyone's life.
This is sickening and everyone should read about the human cost of the non-secure border.
Ping
The deadly crash happened in October '03 when the coyotes tried to outrun a county sheriff's deputy. I worked for a long time with Emilia Lee's son...her death was hard on many of us in the community.
If someone dies during a crime, the criminal should be convicted of murder!
Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!
Support our Minutemen Patriots!
Be Ever Vigilant ~ Bump!
Do you think anyone in the WH has bothered to read this news item?
No.
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