Post by Anja on Jun 5, 2006 16:14:11 GMT -5
Death Penalty To Be Sought Against Suspect In 7 Slayings----Decision Yet
To Be Made On Other Arrestee
Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi said Sunday he will seek the death
penalty against a man police said is the main suspect in the shooting
deaths of seven members of an Indianapolis family.
Brizzi plans to seek the death penalty for 28-year-old prison parolee
Desmond Turner, who surrendered to police at a fast-food restaurant
Saturday evening.
The crime -- in which three boys and four adults were fatally shot inside
an east-side Indianapolis home on Thursday night -- "really does scream
out for the death penalty," Brizzi said.
"This is something that is a terrorist, cowardly act, taking the lives of
these family members, especially these children, in the way that it was
done," said Brizzi, who spoke with the victims' relatives at a vigil
outside the victims' home on Sunday.
Brizzi has yet to announce whether he will seek capital punishment for a
second suspect, 30-year-old James Stewart, who was arrested during a
traffic stop Friday and is being held on preliminary murder charges.
Turner is being held on 7 counts of murder, 7 counts of felony murder and
one charge of robbery.
Brizzi said he plans to ask a judge on Monday to order Turner held for 72
hours. Formal charges likely would be filed Tuesday.
Indianapolis Deputy Police Chief Tim Foley said Saturday that police
believe Turner and Stewart were the only ones involved in Thursday night's
shootings at 560 N. Hamilton Ave. Authorities said they believe robbery
was the motive -- an acquaintance had told Turner that he would find
valuables there, police said. Information on whether anything was taken
wasn't available.
Investigators had said information from at least one witness led them to
believe Turner was involved. Police said they believe Turner, armed with a
rifle, killed most, if not all, of the 7.
Among those slain Thursday night were Alberto Covarrubias, 56; Emma
Valdez, 46; and their sons Alberto Covarrubias, 11, and David Covarrubias,
who was 8 or 9.
Also killed were Valdez's two adult children, Flora Albarran, 22, and
Magno Albarran, 29; and Flora Albarran's son, Luis Albarran, 5.
Police said that through Stewart's arrest on Friday, investigators found
what they believe could be substantial forensic evidence in the slayings
case. Authorities said tips led them to suspect Stewart in the case.
With Suspects In Custody, Community Mourns 7
On Sunday, friends, relatives and other people mourned the 7 victims at
the family's church and in a gathering outside their home.
Part of Hamilton Avenue was closed to traffic Sunday evening as about 400
people -- including Mayor Bart Peterson and other community leaders --
attended a bilingual memorial service outside the house. Some stood on
sidewalks and porches; others sat in chairs set up in the street in front
of the home.
Earlier, during Sunday Mass at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, a pew was
kept empty, save for seven roses that were put there to symbolize the
victims. The 7 had attended the church.
"They would sit across from me," Margeurite Herrera, a family friend, told
6News' Tanya Spencer. "To look over there and see it empty, it hurts. It
really does. It hurts."
The younger Alberto Covarrubias and his brother, David, had recently
received their First Communion at the church. Herrera and other
parishioners were struggling to understand that the family wouldn't be
back.
"We can't get over it," Herrera said. "I've cried where I can't cry
anymore. And my solution is prayer."
Funeral Services Set
A funeral Mass for the older Alberto Covarrubias will be held at noon
Tuesday at St. Mary Catholic Church, 317 N. New Jersey St. Burial will
follow at Washington Park Cemetery East. Viewing will be held at Crown
Hill Funeral Home on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m.
A funeral Mass for the rest of the slain relatives is scheduled for
Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, 1347 N. Meridian
St. Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers are handling arrangements.
(source: Associated Press)
To Be Made On Other Arrestee
Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi said Sunday he will seek the death
penalty against a man police said is the main suspect in the shooting
deaths of seven members of an Indianapolis family.
Brizzi plans to seek the death penalty for 28-year-old prison parolee
Desmond Turner, who surrendered to police at a fast-food restaurant
Saturday evening.
The crime -- in which three boys and four adults were fatally shot inside
an east-side Indianapolis home on Thursday night -- "really does scream
out for the death penalty," Brizzi said.
"This is something that is a terrorist, cowardly act, taking the lives of
these family members, especially these children, in the way that it was
done," said Brizzi, who spoke with the victims' relatives at a vigil
outside the victims' home on Sunday.
Brizzi has yet to announce whether he will seek capital punishment for a
second suspect, 30-year-old James Stewart, who was arrested during a
traffic stop Friday and is being held on preliminary murder charges.
Turner is being held on 7 counts of murder, 7 counts of felony murder and
one charge of robbery.
Brizzi said he plans to ask a judge on Monday to order Turner held for 72
hours. Formal charges likely would be filed Tuesday.
Indianapolis Deputy Police Chief Tim Foley said Saturday that police
believe Turner and Stewart were the only ones involved in Thursday night's
shootings at 560 N. Hamilton Ave. Authorities said they believe robbery
was the motive -- an acquaintance had told Turner that he would find
valuables there, police said. Information on whether anything was taken
wasn't available.
Investigators had said information from at least one witness led them to
believe Turner was involved. Police said they believe Turner, armed with a
rifle, killed most, if not all, of the 7.
Among those slain Thursday night were Alberto Covarrubias, 56; Emma
Valdez, 46; and their sons Alberto Covarrubias, 11, and David Covarrubias,
who was 8 or 9.
Also killed were Valdez's two adult children, Flora Albarran, 22, and
Magno Albarran, 29; and Flora Albarran's son, Luis Albarran, 5.
Police said that through Stewart's arrest on Friday, investigators found
what they believe could be substantial forensic evidence in the slayings
case. Authorities said tips led them to suspect Stewart in the case.
With Suspects In Custody, Community Mourns 7
On Sunday, friends, relatives and other people mourned the 7 victims at
the family's church and in a gathering outside their home.
Part of Hamilton Avenue was closed to traffic Sunday evening as about 400
people -- including Mayor Bart Peterson and other community leaders --
attended a bilingual memorial service outside the house. Some stood on
sidewalks and porches; others sat in chairs set up in the street in front
of the home.
Earlier, during Sunday Mass at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, a pew was
kept empty, save for seven roses that were put there to symbolize the
victims. The 7 had attended the church.
"They would sit across from me," Margeurite Herrera, a family friend, told
6News' Tanya Spencer. "To look over there and see it empty, it hurts. It
really does. It hurts."
The younger Alberto Covarrubias and his brother, David, had recently
received their First Communion at the church. Herrera and other
parishioners were struggling to understand that the family wouldn't be
back.
"We can't get over it," Herrera said. "I've cried where I can't cry
anymore. And my solution is prayer."
Funeral Services Set
A funeral Mass for the older Alberto Covarrubias will be held at noon
Tuesday at St. Mary Catholic Church, 317 N. New Jersey St. Burial will
follow at Washington Park Cemetery East. Viewing will be held at Crown
Hill Funeral Home on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m.
A funeral Mass for the rest of the slain relatives is scheduled for
Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, 1347 N. Meridian
St. Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers are handling arrangements.
(source: Associated Press)