This photo released by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shows death row inmate Jose Medellin who is set for execution at the Texas Prison in Huntsville, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008. I was 15. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. . As Ertman was murdered, Pea was forced to watch her friend's death as other gang members held a ligature around her own neck. This location was approximately one mile from Pea's home. "Peter A. Cantu, Texas Executed August 17" (Chapter 35). How sick My heart is broken. He then elaborated that he had raped both girls. The medical examiner later testified that this is how she could be sure as to the horrible brutality of the rapes, beatings and murders. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7051821/jennifer-lee-ertman. 1 of 3 Jennifer Ertman, left, and Elizabeth Pea both attended Waltrip High School. We have set your language to Murder of Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pea Verify and try again. endobj His war on terror is a sham - if he was so concerned about terrorists why does he allow American citizens to be murdered by Mexican terrorists on own soil. They also told police that both girls were raped by no less than two men simultaneously at all times. Randy Ertman, father of Jennifer Ertman, speaks with Adolph Pena, father of Elizabeth Pena outside the 262nd Criminal District Court in 2003 after Judge Mike Anderson set the execution date for Raul Villarreal. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. It shocked many onlookers and outraged a few. [30][41][42], The parents of the murder victims successfully advocated for the State of Texas to allow victims' relatives to have permission to witness executions. I attended all five trials with the Ertmans and know too well the awful things that they and the Penas had to hear and see in the course of seeing Justice served for their girls. The other change came from the Texas Department of Corrections which instituted a new policy allowing victims' families the choice and right to view the execution of their perpetrators. O'Brien was sentenced to die for murder of Ertman, 15, and Pea, 16, in 1993. The other five were tried for capital murder in Harris County, Texas, convicted and sentenced to death. [7], Villarreal had not been a member of the Black and White gang or any gang but had engaged in this initiation ceremony whereby he had been forced to fight several gang members for five minutes successively before they judged whether to accept him. This is a truly brutal case of murder. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Death penalty opponents protested the impending execution. This prompted Medelln to say the gang "had fun" and that details would appear on the news. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. 0000009638 00000 n This is a carousel with slides. [5], Jos Medelln was executed at 9:57p.m. on August 5, 2008, after his last-minute appeals were rejected by the Supreme Court. "I told him to stick it. Medellin, now 33, was one of six teenagers arrested and charged with the gang rape and murders of Elizabeth Pena, 16, and Jennifer Ertman, 14. Leaving the crime scene, Peter Cantu handed Venancio Medelln a Goofy wristwatch taken from Ertman's body, saying, "Take this, I don't want it.". One member, Jos Medelln, attempted to grope and pinch one of Pea's breasts. One of them, Peter Cantu, was tried in 1994. Jos Medelln got a ring with an "E," so he could give it to his girlfriend, Esther. Jester Park in northwest Houston. This browser does not support getting your location. When Peter Cantu saw Jenny and Elizabeth, he thought it was a man and a woman and told the other gang members that he wanted to jump him and beat him up. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. 1 second ago. Jos Medelln got a ring with an "E", so he could give it to his girlfriend, Esther. Resend Activation Email. I went to school with them. startxref %PDF-1.3 Turns out the friend I was with was a serial rapist. Venancio "Vinnie" Medellin: The Ultimate Parole Protest The Ertmans were ecstatic at the birth of their child because they were not sure if they would ever be able to conceive, since Sandra was on the wrong side of thirty-five. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. And Cantu's brother, upset at the gang's gloating about having fun with the girls, called police. /Info 70 0 R Their deaths resulted in an outpouring of grief in the local community and spurred changes in criminal legislation in the state of Texas, which enabled the families of crime victims to speak to the defendant at trial and witness the execution of said defendant. By approximately 10:30 p.m., Villarreal had successfully fought two gang members before being beaten midway through his fight with the third member. 0 cemeteries found in Houston, Harris County, Texas, USA. /CS1 [ /Pattern /DeviceGray ] /CS2 [ /Pattern /DeviceRGB ] >> /Font << /F9 /L 64011 A native of Des Moines, Iowa, she holds a Master?s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a Master?s in sociology from Michigan State University. The State of Texas charged Cantu with the capital murder of Jennifer Ertman during a kidnapping, robbery, or aggravated sexual assault. Is there something we can do to bring more attention to this situation? [40], Cantu, Medelln, and O'Brien are buried at Captain Joe Byrd Cemetery. HUNTSVILLE, Texas (CBS/KHOU) Murderer Peter Anthony Cantu was executed by the state of Texas Tuesday evening. Cantu was the ringleader of five gang members who raped and killed the girls at a Houston park - a crime that horrified the city in 1993. A cemetery posted a personal ad for a goose whose mate died. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. jennifer ertman Jester Park. Hiding. Peter Anthony Cantu Executed for Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena In what police later would describe as a sadistic frenzy, the girls were gang-raped for more than an hour. Three others have long prison terms. Venancio Medelln did rape Ertman on one occasion. [5] This location was approximately one mile from Pea's home. The Texas parole board denied parole on several occasions to Venancio Medellin, most recently in 2020. /Length 166 Autopsy photographs showed the differences in decomposition between those areas that suffered trauma and those that did not, such as Jennifer Ertman's legs, chest, and . 0000008539 00000 n The juvenile pled guilty to his charge and his sentence will be reviewed when he turns 18, at which time he could be released. Sandra Babcock, attorney for Mexican-born death row inmate Jose Medellin, speaks to the media after his execution Tuesday. Put a needle in her arm and just go to sleep. Try again later. I hope you rot in hell.". 74 0 obj At first, Pea desperately attempted to appease her abusers as she wept, offering her phone number so they could "get together". I have voted for him as Governor and President without regret. E77: The Murders of Jennifer Ertman & Elizabeth Pea Sylvia Orta Perez, 32, who had gym class with Jennifer Ertman in middle school, takes a moment at the memorial site for Ertman and Elizabeth Pea in TC Jester Park on Tuesday. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. A major precedent was set at the end of his trial, when state District Judge Bill Harmon allowed Ertman to address the convicted murderer. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. In response to accusations from anti-death penalty advocates that the death penalty is a cruel and unusual form of punishment, Pea's father later remarked O'Brien's death had occurred peacefully, "in twenty seconds", adding: "I wish to God that my daughter could have died that easily. In response to accusations from anti-death penalty advocates that capital punishment is a cruel and unusual form of punishment, Pea's father later remarked O'Brien's death had occurred peacefully, "in twenty seconds", adding: "I wish to God that my daughter could have died that easily. In debate over slow executions, victim families wrestle with whether those condemned should suffer. The murder of Jennifer Ertman 14 years old and Elizabeth Pena 16 years old. Part of the belt was left at the murder scene, the rest was found in O'Brien's home. Jos Ernesto Medelln appealed his execution, saying that he had informed City of Houston and Harris County police officers that he was a Mexican citizen, and that he had been unable to confer with Mexican consular officials. He told the call taker that the missing girls' bodies could be found near T.C. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Jennifer Ertman - Top podcast episodes - Listen Notes % 1) You are a coward with regard to Mexico. Graves--- Elizabeth Pena & Jennifer Ertman murder location For the next hour or so, these beautiful, innocent young girls were subjected to the most brutal gang rapes that most of the investigating officers had ever encountered. Jennifer Ertman's dad, Randy Ertman, was about to give an interview regarding the missing girls to a local television reporter when the call came over a cameraman's police scanner that two bodies had been found. "He has matured remarkably," said Robin Norris, his appeals lawyer. Carol Christian reports on breaking news for chron.com. Harmon was criticized by fellow judges and newspaper editorials for allowing the display. Adolph Pena, embraced by his wife, Melissa, wears a shirt showing the pictures of his slain daughter, Elizabeth, left, and her friend, Jennifer Ertman, who were killed by killed by gang members five years ago.