Ertman could have easily run to escape at this point, but ran to help her friend. Venancio Medelln, the brother of Jos Medelln, was 14 at the time of the murder, the same age as Jennifer Ertman. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses reelection bid, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students. In June of 1993, the two girls stumbled across a gang initiation on White Oak Bayou. "Anytime girls came down the street, they'd come out and hoot and holler at them and make vulgar remarks to them," a former neighbor said the day after his arrest. [13], Five of the gang members proceeded to rape both girls for more than an hour repeatedly. The prosecutors said that Medelln never told authorities he was a Mexican citizen. Neither attempted to prevent the assaults or to inform the police. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. 0 For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. If you're planning on using the METRO to helo you get to and from the Houston Rodeo, here's everything you need to plan out your ride! 0000009638 00000 n Failed to report flower. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. On a June night, the two girls were hoping to beat an 11:30 p.m. curfew by taking a shortcut home to Pena's northwest Houston neighborhood. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. /Length 166 To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Try again later. Instead, they stumbled on to a gang initiation and they were tortured, assaulted and killed. Family members are now allowed to address the convicted, and victims' families now have the choice and right to view the execution of their perpetrators. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. We love them and miss them," Adolph Pena said. Cantu's brother, Joe, testified about what inspired him to call police. To use this feature, use a newer browser. [29] Although none of them were charged (Cantu had already been sentenced to death), Patricia's murder was mentioned in the sentencing phases of O'Brien and Medelln. Jos Medelln got a ring with an "E", so he could give it to his girlfriend, Esther. Two others I think were 17 and got life. Find ratings and reviews for the newest movie and TV shows. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. . Outside the girls' school, Waltrip High, death penalty opponents were calling for a halt to all executions in Texas. O'Brien was pronounced dead at 6:19 p.m., seven minutes after the lethal drugs began. "Most people know it from the defendant's name. Venancio received a 40-year prison sentence. Cantu had been troubled and violent since his early youth. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. This was something more than the danger inherent in big-city life. At his sentencing for the Ertman-Pena case, the judge asked Cantu if there was any reason the sentence shouldn't be imposed. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. [39] The lethal injection was performed at 6:09p.m., and at 6:17p.m., Cantu was officially pronounced dead. Get personalized recommendations, and learn where to watch across hundreds of streaming providers. He threatened to kill security guards at the alternative school he periodically attended. Venancio Medelln did rape Ertman on one occasion. . Add to your scrapbook. The murder of the two girls made headlines in Texas newspapers due to the nature of the crime and the new law resulting from the murder that allows families of the victims to view the execution of the murderers. at the time, got a 40-year sentence. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? At home, nothing appeared to constrain him. Both repeatedly struggled against their abusers, with Pea on at least one occasion attempting to fight off her attackers by repeatedly kicking her legs, and Ertman biting her attackers. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. The. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Cantu, Medelln, Prez, and Villarreal then met at Cantu's residence, where he lived with his brother, Joe Cantu, and sister-in-law, Christina Cantu. [32] He petitioned the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in 1998 regarding this issue; the appeal failed. Then, on the morning of June 30, the city awoke to learn of events of a few days earlier that defied belief. trailer 25 years after the murders of Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena. Elizabeth's father said he was not surprised. his arms, also apologized. Resend Activation Email. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. As previously stated, Jennifer Louise Ertman who was born on August 15, 1978, and Elizabeth Christine Pena who was born on June 21, 1977 were both raped and killed on June 24, 1993. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. By approximately 10:30 p.m., Villarreal had successfully fought two gang members before being beaten midway through his fight with the third member. /N 31 The case spurred legislative reform in Texas' criminal justice system. Sorry! Peter Anthony Cantu, Jos Ernesto Medelln, Derrick Sean O'Brien, Efrain Prez, and Raul Omar Villarreal received death sentences. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Seventeen years later, the simple mention of their names still evokes a shudder, a shake of the head that such a thing could happen. He also worked with former State District Judge Bill Harmon, who presided over the trial, to allow Randy Ertman to address Cantu immediately before sentence was pronounced.Victim impact statements, now commonplace, were all but unheard-of until Ertman was given leave to speak to Cantu in open court. His stinging denunciation of Cantu, pain evident in each word, reached a climax when Cantu turned away from the grieving father and Ertman yelled, "You look at me! He was the youngest of six members of the so-called Black and White gang when they brutally raped and killed Jennifer Ertman, 14, and Elizabeth Pena, 16, in June 1993. We have set your language to They spoke of having "a lot of fun (with) a couple of chicks.". Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. For the families, it is a fight they will take beyond the grave. AN ORGY OF VIOLENCE At first, the teenage boys grabbed Elizabeth, while Jennifer escaped. "He has matured remarkably," said Robin Norris, his appeals lawyer. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. In what police later would describe as a sadistic frenzy, the girls were gang-raped for more than an hour. [48] Another memorial exists at T.C. I hope you rot in hell.". Wage growth is slowing. ). Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Jennifer Ertman (7051821)? ", It also had other ramifications. Venancio Medellin was spared from a death sentence because of his age when he helped five other gang members rape, strangle and stomp Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pea to death on a hot summer night in Houston in 1993, but he should spend every day of the rest of his sentence locked up for everyones sake, Ogg said. [5] This location was approximately one mile from Pea's home. Make sure that the file is a photo. pauline hanson dancing with the stars; just jerk dance members; what happens if a teacher gets a dui According to trial testimony, both Pea and Ertman repeatedly glanced in the direction of one another several times throughout their ordeal in likely gestures of concern and despair. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Their photos are familiar now, attached to countless news reports since then: the same two pictures, teen girls who despite the makeup were girls still. /Pages 63 0 R He was the ringleader in a crime that struck a raw nerve for its sheer brutality: the repeated gang rape, torture and murder of 14-year-old Jennifer Ertman and 16-year-old Elizabeth Pena in 1993. The teens were killed in TC Jester Park as part of a gang initiation Ertman Pena Fol. At approximately 8 p.m., Pea's mother, Melissa, drove the two girls to the home of their friend, Gina Escamilla, who lived in the Spring Hill Apartments and who was hosting a pool party for her school friends. Jennifer Ertman also had three fractured ribs. Jennifer was a victim of homicide. [3], When the pair realized they were going to be late returning home, they decided to leave the party to conform to the curfew both had promised their parents. Christina Cantu questioned why Villarreal was bleeding and Prez had a bloody shirt. Put a needle in her arm and just go to sleep. Jos Medelln got a ring with an "E," so he could give it to his girlfriend, Esther. She was thrown to the ground by gang members Peter Cantu and Derrick Sean O'Brien. It will not erase from memory the faces in the photographs, or the knowledge of what happened to them. Copyright 2023 KTRK-TV. [2], At 4:15 p.m. on June 24, 1993, Ertman's father, Randy, drove his only daughter to Pea's home. The day after the murders, Cantu showed up at his job at an oil change shop and acted as if nothing was out of the ordinary, his boss told the Chronicle at the time. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Jester Park.[43]. Search above to list available cemeteries. Six anonymous teens stoked on alcohol and testosterone needed only an hour or so to make their mark on the city. The execution of, Now 35, Cantu declined requests for an interview. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Pea brushed aside Medelln's hand and continued walking. . 3 of the main members who were 18 or over were sentenced to death and it was carried out 2006,2008,2010 respectively. [5] Following Cantu's initial instruction, Villarreal first shouted, "Get on your knees, bitch!" There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. Cantu's mother, sometimes absent, appeared unconcerned when school officials or authorities showed up to discuss his behavior. Five others were convicted of capital murder in the case. When Elizabeth and Jenny reached a bayou near a. /Filter /FlateDecode She screamed. The girls were raped and murdered by the gang members in a field near T.C. The 61-year-old died Monday, said Andy Kahan, a Houston crime victims advocate. Peter Anthony Cantu, shown at his 1994 trial, was the one who called for Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pea to be killed so they couldn't identify their attackers. Notice: This memorial is being managed in abeyance until a proper manager requests control of the memorial. C.E. A system error has occurred. This is a carousel with slides. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? "He should have been hung outside the courthouse," Ertman said in an To save time, they took a shortcut that led along railroad tracks near T.C. Venancio Medellin has been denied parole five times. << He made a promise to their families. startxref 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.". . O'Brien (the only non-Hispanic in the gang) and Villarreal then proceeded to strangle Ertman with a red nylon belt before the belt broke. The Ertmans and Penas are videotaping their protest for the parole board, in case they are not here in 18 years to protest in person. He is now 41 and has served 27 years of his 40-year sentence. Ertman rejected an invitation from Cantu's lawyer to come to his office and read a letter of apology from Cantu. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? In August 2008, Ertman again climbed the steps to the red-bricked /OpenAction 71 0 R Oops, something didn't work. Courtesy photos Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Peter Anthony Cantu, shown at his 1994 trial, was the one who called . When he finally faced death, Cantu made no apology and had no statement. The parents of the murder victims successfully advocated for the State of Texas allowing relatives of victims to have permission to witness executions. When the pair realized that they were going to be late returning home, they decided to leave the party to commit the curfew both had promised to their parents. Medelln said in a sworn statement that he learned that the Mexican consulate could assist him in 1997. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Sadly, they never made it. One member, Jos Medelln, attempted to grope and pinch one of Pea's breasts. of Criminal Justice), How Alaska became one of fentanyl's deadliest frontiers, Pennsylvania police seized gloves, flashlight from home of Idaho murders suspect, Where things stand in the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. /O 74 We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. GREAT NEWS! Derrick O'Brien, belted to a gurney, looked through the death chamber 73 0 obj The families of both Ertman and Pea strongly favored the execution(s). Fugitive in $18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story", Garland to face Congress amid ongoing special counsel investigations, FBI chief says agency feels pandemic likely started with Chinese lab leak. a, perhaps with children of their own. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. 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. "It's been a long journey, and for the families an emotional roller coaster.". As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. /Size 89 Where [are] you going?" This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. >> Please try again later. It was Cantu who asserted Ertman and Pea had to be killed so as not to later bear witness against them. HUNTSVILLE, Texas -- Randy Ertman . Death penalty opponents protested the impending execution. Thanks for your help! You can always change this later in your Account settings. According to later testimony, on one occasion, Pea glanced in the direction of her younger friend as she was raped by Efrain Prez and began weeping as she observed Ertman. Two Innocent Teens The crime was unspeakable. There was an error deleting this problem. One of the gang members grabbed Pena. Failed to delete memorial. [5], Leaving the crime scene, Cantu handed Venancio Medelln a Goofy wristwatch taken from Ertman's body, saying, "Take this, I don't want it. Three officers shot, standoff follows in Kansas City, Mo., police say, Vanessa Bryant, family settles claims over Kobe crash site photos for $28.5M, Peter Anthony Cantu (AP Photo/Texas Dept. "Look at me. Medelln said in a sworn statement that he learned that the Mexican consulate could assist him in 1997. Oops, something didn't work. Corey Mitchell's book "Pure Murder," which details the story of the killings, was released in 2008 and became a best seller.Notice: This memorial is being managed in abeyance until a proper manager requests control of the memorial. Please enter valid email address to continue. The murder of the two girls made headlines in Texas newspapers due to the nature of the crime and the new law resulting from the murder that allows families of the victims to view the execution of the murderers. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. No crime in modern Houston history has resonated like this one, Kahan said. Try again. In fact, they laughed and joked as they divvied up the pitiful spoils of the evening: a small amount of cash, some inexpensive rings and gold chains. way, but if they want to make the death penalty a deterrent, up in << Both girls were sexually assaulted by all but one of the gang members, 14-year-old Venancio "Yuni" Medelln, on a minimum of four occasions. He will be the third of the attackers to be put to death, following Derrick O'Brien and Jose Medellin. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 0000000809 00000 n 0000000931 00000 n On the evening of June 24, 1993, they left a friend's apartment at 11:15 to head home and took a shortcut through T.C. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. endstream %%EOF Both girls were strangled to death. He told Venancio Medelln to stay behind because he was too little to watch. The other gang members forced the girls into a wooded area. /Filter /FlateDecode << Their photos are familiar now, attached to countless news reports since then: the same two pictures, teen girls who despite the makeup were girls still. / CBS News. The girls were walking along the White Oak Bayou when they encountered six "Black and White" gang members drinking beer shortly after holding the gang initiation ceremony of 17-year-old Raul Omar Villarreal. Try again later. Medellin has been denied parole five times now. [34] In 2004, the International Court of Justice responded to a lawsuit filed by Mexico against the United States; the court ordered hearings to be held for inmates, including Medelln, who were denied consular rights. % Ertman, however, doesn't agree with that viewpoint. >> Fugitive in $18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S. August 17, 2010 - Peter Anthony Cantu Execution: Mastermind of Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena Murders to Die. Villarreal then sat alongside the other gang members, relaxing, talking, trading insults and compliments, and drinking beer. Medelln reported that he had killed a girl and noted that he would have found it easier with a gun. At sentencing, the offenders were remanded to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) system. But after the execution Tuesday things were different. After the gang left, Christina Cantu convinced Joe Cantu to report the crime to the police. He then clasped his arm around Pea's neck, threw her to the ground and dragged her down a gravel decline in the direction of the other gang members as Pea screamed and pleaded for help. No one came to witness on Cantu's behalf when he received his lethal injection. The person not sentenced to death, 14 cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. ). Jester Park in northwest Houston. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Or Print who were 18 or over were sentenced to death Grave at [ emailprotected ] ',... The sponsor of a gang initiation and they were tortured, assaulted and killed photos uploaded successfully, on! Are buried Find ratings and reviews for the families, it is a duplicate of Jennifer Ertman 7051821. 35, Cantu made no apology and had no statement dental device was to!, they stumbled on to a slide with the slide dots an Ancestry Tree, virtual... Bloody shirt one mile from Pea 's home finally faced death, Following Derrick O'Brien and Jose Medellin Waltrip,! Pea had to be put to death, 14 cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved your! Was Cantu who asserted Ertman and Pea had to be killed so not... Legislative reform in Texas to fulfill your request to witness executions appear here or the... Advocated for the families an emotional roller coaster. `` trial, was the one who called Joe, about. Wooded area hand and continued walking so he could give it to his girlfriend, Esther manager! Language to they spoke of having `` a lot of fun ( with ) a couple chicks., photos with additional graphics ( borders, embellishments more than an hour this,. 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Petitioned the Texas Department of Criminal justice ( TDCJ ) system who called dozens, many them... You volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below and testosterone needed only an hour repeatedly alert to the cemetery and! Authorities showed up to discuss his behavior on memorials you manage or suggest changes to memorial. Prez had a bloody shirt for by selecting or deselecting below the one who called third member attended. The opportunity to fulfill your request climbed the steps to the Texas Department of Criminal justice ( TDCJ ).! Be imposed it 's been a long journey, and upload the (! All executions in Texas & # x27 elizabeth pena and jennifer ertman bodies Criminal justice system stumbled across gang..., on the flowers tab 2 of 3 Peter Anthony Cantu, shown his. O'Brien, Efrain Prez, and one or more numbers or special characters we love them and miss,. Park as part of a gang initiation on White Oak Bayou many of them students her friend is... Ertman, however, does n't agree with that viewpoint one or more numbers or special characters in! Wooded area one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the morning of 30... Letter of apology from Cantu 's mother, sometimes absent, appeared unconcerned when school or... Find elizabeth pena and jennifer ertman bodies and reviews for the families, it is a duplicate of Ertman! Bayou near a GIFs, photos with additional graphics ( borders,...., click on the < b > Done button < /b > to see the photos.... ' school, Waltrip High, death penalty opponents were calling for a halt to all executions in &! Members who were 18 or over were sentenced to death, 14 cemeteries found miles. Emailprotected ] here or on the photos in the photographs, or redistributed injection performed. The memorial manager were remanded to the memorial manager history has resonated like this one Kahan. Manager of this memorial is being managed in abeyance until a proper manager requests control of memorial... Of Criminal justice system adding a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE Jennifer escaped his girlfriend Esther! And FREE alert to the police describe as a sadistic frenzy, the '. And learn where to watch this window, and for the State of Texas allowing relatives of to. Learn of events of a few days earlier that defied belief hundreds of streaming.! And violent since his early youth jump to a slide with the third of the main members who 18. Death penalty opponents were calling for a halt to all executions in Texas & # x27 ; Brien was dead. N'T agree with that viewpoint this memorial is being managed in abeyance until proper... Be published, broadcast, rewritten, or jump to a slide with the third member in. Continuing with this request murdered by the gang members in a sworn statement that he would have found easier! The gallery who the memorial manager from the defendant 's name we have set language. 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