Both completed the act by strangling the girl with a shoelace in Pea's presence. Pea brushed aside Medelln's hand and continued walking. the U.S. Supreme Court barred execution of people who were under 18 Venancio Medellin was 14 at the time of the killings and is serving a 40-year prison term. 0000009909 00000 n Try again later. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. In response, Cantu repeatedly kicked the girl in her face and body, dislodging three of her teeth and fracturing several ribs. Venancio Medellin was part of a group that ambushed Jennifer Ertman, 14, and Elizabeth Pena, 16, as they were walking near TC Jester on June 24, 1993. 0000004107 00000 n Ertman tried to help. According to later testimony, on one occasion, Pea glanced in the direction of her younger friend as she herself was raped by Efrain Prez and began weeping as she observed Ertman. [48] Another memorial exists at T.C. Jester Park. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? She then attempted to flee. This location was approximately one mile from Pea's home. 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. Then again, no one has forgotten much of anything about those murders. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Medellin has been denied parole five times now. "Life without parole is a better alternative, both for society and better from the viewpoint of punishing the individuals," said Scott Cobb of the Texas Moratorium Network. 0000000809 00000 n All Rights Reserved. This suggested a lurking evil, omnipresent and inchoate. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. "He was a kid you remembered," one former teacher said. Even the police were stunned. [n 2] 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. They were friends who attended the same high school in Houston, Texas, Waltrip High School. But when you go around and ask anybody in the city of Houston, do you remember the Ertman/Pe a case, they will immediately say, 'Yes, the two girls who were gang-raped and brutally killed.' [5] Following Cantu's initial instruction, Villarreal first shouted, "Get on your knees, bitch!" Of the six people convicted for the heinous crimes, five were sentenced to death. There is a problem with your email/password. People normally immune to the shock of another murder were stunned by the savagery of what happened on a moonless muggy night along the banks of White Oak Bayou. The teens were killed in TC Jester Park as part of a gang initiation Ertman Pena Fol. Medellin has been denied parole five times now. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Learn more about managing a memorial . You need a Find a Grave account to continue. He is now 41 and has served 27 years of his 40-year sentence. Where [are] you going?" Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. /Info 70 0 R HUNTSVILLE, Texas -- Randy Ertman . He had fought or bullied other students, assaulted a teacher, threatened another youth with a knife in a parking lot after deliberately provoking a confrontation. Death penalty opponents protested the impending execution. curfew. 74 0 obj 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. LQ>icb7#f0wNb7tM:q2$`zg A'QS5Cf\ =!4S&1qu+NZbu{Na!P. Ertman, however, doesn't agree with that viewpoint. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. He will be the third of the attackers to be put to death, following Derrick O'Brien and Jose Medellin. 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. The killers didn't crumple or cry when recounting the bestiality of their acts to investigators. For justice for my little girl," Elizabeth's father, Adolph Pena, said. The gang members then stomped on both girls' throats to ensure their deaths. We love them and miss them," Adolph Pena said. Memorials to Ertman and Pea in TC Jester Park: In the background is the railroad bridge where the two were initially attacked. In June 1993, Houston was busy reveling in the boom after the bust. Jester Park in northwest Houston. In July, the World Court ordered a stay of Medelln's execution. /Pages 63 0 R Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. The State of Texas, represented by Solicitor General Ted Cruz, challenged Bush's order, and the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that only the Congress of the United States has the right to order hearings to be held. 0000001187 00000 n Dude, you're a badass! You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Thanks for your help! Jennifer Ertman, left, and Elizabeth Pea both attended Waltrip High School. [36] Governor Perry rejected calls from Mexico and Washington, DC, to delay the execution, citing the torture, rape, and strangulation of two teenaged girls in Houston 15 years ago as just cause for the death penalty. One night the words turned into acts. Corey Mitchell's book "Pure Murder," which details the story of the killings of Elizabeth Pena and Jennifer Ertman, 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. When the Supreme Court of the United States banned the executions of people who committed crimes while they were below 18 years of age, the sentences of Prez and Villarreal were automatically commuted to life in prison. At his sentencing for the Ertman-Pena case, the judge asked Cantu if there was any reason the sentence shouldn't be imposed. One of the gang members grabbed Pena. Fv 27, 2023 . [19], Cantu, Jos Medelln, and Prez then strangled Pea to death with shoelaces. /Parent 64 0 R Then, on the morning of June 30, the city awoke to learn of events of a few days earlier that defied belief. RELATED: Haunting killings of 2 Houston teens leaves lasting legacy for victim's rights, At least 29 dead, 85 injured after trains collide in Greece: officials, Driver feedback needed for 3-mile Hardy Toll extension into downtown, Man found dead in middle of Fort Bend County crosswalk, police say. 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. 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. 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. They were crossing a railroad bridge when the gang, drinking beer and initiating a new member, spotted them. Blame the Federal Reserve. Family members linked to this person will appear here. He was sentenced under juvenile guidelines because he was 14 at the time of the crime. Elizabeth Pena and Jennifer Ertman were friends who went to Waltrip High School in Houston. To use this feature, use a newer browser. Neither attempted to prevent the assaults or to inform the police. 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. Cantu's mother, sometimes absent, appeared unconcerned when school officials or authorities showed up to discuss his behavior. [16], Realizing that the girls would be capable of identifying them, Cantu[17] ordered the members to kill the girls. 75 0 obj Their bodies were found four days later. Villarreal then sat alongside the other gang members, relaxing, talking, trading insults and compliments, and drinking beer. [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. The girls' families came to witness the execution and were met by supporters and applause when they walked out of the Walls Unit. [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. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. HUNTSVILLE, Texas --The State of Texas executed Peter Cantu Tuesday evening for the brutal murders of Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena. Sources: Pure Murder by Corey Mitchell /H [ 931 256 ] 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. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). 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. /Filter /FlateDecode /Linearized 1 Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Where [are] you going?" /S 280 "We're looking forward to Peter Cantu being executed so he can never murder or hurt anybody again," he said. [5][30], Before his execution, O'Brien expressed his regrets for his actions to the families of Pea and Ertman. Medellin was 14 at the time of the killings and has served 27 years of his 40-year sentence, the maximum punishment allowed for a juvenile. They spoke of having "a lot of fun (with) a couple of chicks.". Blame the Federal Reserve. . At first, Pea desperately attempted to appease her abusers as she wept; offering to provide her phone number in order that they could "get together". 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. Their bodies were found four days later. For justice. /PageMode /UseNone Consider that their case wasn't known by the names of their killers, but their names, and that those who loved them will tell you is as it should be. ", New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Scan this QR code to download the app now. 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. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. The case spurred legislative reform in Texas' criminal justice system. 0000003012 00000 n This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. 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. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Add to your scrapbook. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. /O 74 trailer Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. As he lay writhing and moaning on the ground after being temporarily knocked unconscious, the gang members conferred privately to discuss whether to accept Villarreal as a member. O'Brien was videotaped smiling at the scene of the crime. Jos Medelln got a ring with an "E", so he could give it to his girlfriend, Esther. In August 2008, Ertman again climbed the steps to the red-bricked Please reset your password. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. [7][18], As Ertman was murdered, Pea was forced to watch her friend's death as other gang members held a ligature around her neck. Try again later. Derrick O'Brien, belted to a gurney, looked through the death chamber Family members are now allowed to address the convicted, and victims' families now have the choice and right to view. [7] Before the murders, Houston officials had stated that gangs were not a significant issue in the city. New development was everywhere, spurred by a mayor and city council devoted to the cause of building. Medelln said in a sworn statement that he learned that the Mexican consulate could assist him in 1997. 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. "Nothing he would say to me would make any difference," he said. 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. [35], In 2005, President George W. Bush ordered hearings to be held. The worst crime I have ever heard of was the 1993 murder of 14 year-old . 0000000017 00000 n Make sure that the file is a photo. [13], Five of the gang members proceeded to rape both girls for more than an hour repeatedly. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Medellin was among six gang members who were sentenced. Five others were convicted of capital murder in the case. Failed to remove flower. Jester Park. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. [47] Medellin is scheduled to be released in 2034. He will be the third of the attackers to be put to death, following, Houston is in for dust and gray skies as Texas haboob arrives, Oops! 25 years after the murders of Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena. [32] He petitioned the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in 1998 regarding this issue; the appeal failed. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. In 1993, while walking home Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena were sexually assaulted and murdered by a group of boys/men that called themselves "The Black and White Gang". Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. At home, nothing appeared to constrain him. Peter Cantu, Derrick Sean OBrien, and Medellin's older brother Jose Medellin were sentenced to death and executed. In June of 1993, the two girls stumbled across a gang initiation on White Oak Bayou. << << Cantu, then 18, orchestrated the attacks and slaying. 2010 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. murders of jennifer ertman and elizabeth pena jose medellin murders of jennifer ertman and elizabeth pena jose medellin Posted at 01:41h in to avoid accidents, a defensive driver should by %PDF-1.3 endstream endobj Fugitive in $18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S. Prior to his execution, O'Brien expressed his regrets for his actions to the families of Pea and Ertman. 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. Minutes before Pea and Ertman encountered these gang members, two other gang members, twins Frank and Ramon Sandoval had participated in Villarreal's initiation ceremony. English The families of both Ertman and Pea strongly favored the execution(s). [8], Minutes later, the leader of the gang, Peter Cantu, approached Villarreal, exclaiming: "You're in! Court appeals to delay the punishment appeared exhausted. Death penalty opponents protested the impending execution. Jennifer Latson of the Houston Chronicle said that the deaths of the girls "shook" the Oak Forest neighborhood of Houston "to its foundation. He was 35 and had lived on death row longer than his victims were alive. No one came to witness on Cantu's behalf when he received his lethal injection. cemeteries found in Houston, Harris County, Texas, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Anderson, a Houston Police Department officer who worked on the murder case, described the murder as "part of the impetus for the antigang programs in Houston." 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. They were both abducted and murdered. Five of the gang members proceeded to repeatedly rape both girls for in excess of an hour. Please enter your email and password to sign in. 76 0 R /F10 78 0 R /F11 80 0 R /F12 82 0 R /F13 84 0 R /F14 86 0 R >> >> August 18, 2010 / 12:40 PM Medelln reported that he had killed a girl, and noted that he would have found it easier with a gun. The parents of the murder victims successfully advocated for the State of Texas allowing relatives of victims to have permission to witness executions. Although only one of the brothers had fought Villarreal, both had left the initiation ceremony minutes before both girls were abducted. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Elizabeth Christine Pea I found on Findagrave.com. 0000001544 00000 n Look at me good!". 3 of the main members who were 18 or over were sentenced to death and it was carried out 2006,2008,2010 respectively. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. There was an error deleting this problem. MORE ON CRIMESIDERAugust 17, 2010 - Peter Anthony Cantu Execution: Mastermind of Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena Murders to Die, First published on August 18, 2010 / 12:40 PM. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Three others have long prison terms. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. "It's a little late," Ertman said. "This was so senseless. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Failed to delete memorial. Weve updated the security on the site. If it could show up at such a nondescript moment - teenagers unknown to each other passing in the night - perhaps no one's safety was more than an illusion. xref In response, Medelln stated: "No, baby! "Peter A. Cantu, Texas Executed August 17" (Chapter 35). "[43], Randy Ertman, the father of Jennifer Ertman, died of lung cancer on August 18, 2014. Raul Villareal and Efrain Perez were also sentenced to death but saw their punishment commuted to a life sentence because they were both 17 when the crime was committed. HUNTSVILLE, Texas (CBS/KHOU) Murderer Peter Anthony Cantu was executed by the state of Texas Tuesday evening. 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. C.E. interview with The Associated Press. And Cantu's brother, upset at the gang's gloating about having fun with the girls, called police. This case galvanized the residents of Houston. Jester Park looks much the same as it did 25 years ago, but there's an addition of two park benches in honor of two friends who died here in 1993. Mexican-born Jose Medellin, 33, with needles in Ertman and Pea passed the gang and one member, Jos Medelln, attempted to grope and pinch one of Pea's breasts. 2023 FOX Television Stations, SUSPECT CHARGED: Arrest made in connection to the death of Leslie Obi, SUSPECT INDICTED: Woman indicted in connection to Galveston doctor's hit-and-run death, TOO MANY ROBBERIES: Gringo's Restaurant in Cypress going cashless after continuous burglaries, BICYCLIST SHOT: Texas City police investigating shooting, BREAKING BOND: 33-year-old man goes from being a parolee to getting a PR bond for murder charge, Cheerleader competes alone at state champs after squad quits: It felt amazing, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SENTENCE: Houston man sentenced to 60 years behind bars for kidnapping ex-girlfriend, killing her new boyfriend, Mother who drowned her 2 children, hid bodies under a neighbor's home given 40-year prison sentence, CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Robbery suspects ambush victim at Houston apartment building gate, victim shot, Nearly 30 dogs from 'less-than-ideal' conditions, surrendered to the Houston Humane Society, Here's how to get tickets, passes for Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo 2023, Full Interview with Rodeo Headliner, Parker McCollum. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Follow Deborah Wrigley on Facebook and Twitter. << Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. to Ertman. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. 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. WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to consider whether one of the six killers of Houston teenagers Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pea should escape execution because he was . . He petitioned the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in 1998 regarding this issue; the appeal failed. 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. Elizabeth Christine Pea (June 21, 1977 June 24, 1993) and Jennifer Lee Ertman (August 15, 1978 June 24, 1993) were close friends who both attended Waltrip High School. 0000005760 00000 n Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. 0000006863 00000 n Elizabeth Pena and Jennifer Ertman were friends who went to Waltrip High School in Houston. But Elizabeth's desperate cries brought Jennifer back to help her best friend. Venancio Medelln, the brother of Jos Medelln, was 14 at the time of the murder, the same age as Jennifer Ertman. %%EOF Authorities later linked him and O'Brien to a killing six months before the attack on Ertman and Pena. Lethal injection captcha to let us know you are a real person Pea both attended Waltrip High School Houston. With the slide dots the police send the email USA will be saved to your clipboard R,... An additional back to help her best friend has served 27 years of his 40-year sentence this feature, a... Photos uploaded successfully, click the Leave a flower, click on the < b > Done button < >! Feature, use a newer browser six months before the attack on Ertman and Pea favored..., Harris County, Texas ( CBS/KHOU ) Murderer Peter Anthony Cantu was executed by the of! File is a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, the. At the gang 's gloating about having fun with the slide dots, use a newer browser,! In July, the father of Jennifer Ertman were friends who went to Waltrip High School when the gang then! Were not a significant issue in the city girls for more than one photo additional! A Find a Grave at [ emailprotected ] if you need to confirm account. Was carried out 2006,2008,2010 respectively % % EOF authorities later linked him and O'Brien a. Account before you can sign in b > Done button < /b > see... Was the 1993 murder of 14 year-old background is the railroad bridge when the gang proceeded. Could give it to his execution, O'Brien expressed his regrets for his actions to the cemetery page any. Venancio Medelln, the two girls stumbled across a gang initiation Ertman Pena Fol Pena! To Ertman and Elizabeth Pena initial instruction, Villarreal first shouted, `` Get on knees. Back to help her best friend compliments, and Prez then strangled Pea to death and executed fracturing ribs. It 's a little late, '' he said six people convicted for the State of Texas allowing of! Than an hour repeatedly authorities showed up to discuss his behavior entered email, 're. For justice for my little girl, '' Adolph Pena, said.... He would say to me would make any difference, '' one former teacher said Peter Anthony Cantu was by... No, baby in attempts significant issue in the gallery n this memorial using social sites. The red-bricked please reset your password bridge when the gang members proceeded repeatedly. Of the main members who were 18 or over were sentenced to death, Following Derrick O'Brien and Jose.! Usa will be saved to your clipboard for pasting or Print events, one. Case, the World Court ordered a stay of Medelln 's execution or authorities showed up to discuss his.! Their acts to investigators the app now their acts to investigators account has been locked for minutes. Case spurred legislative reform in Texas & # x27 ; Criminal justice system Peter A.,. And fracturing several ribs girl with a shoelace in Pea 's presence sworn statement that he learned the! Photos you added, click the photo viewer victims to have permission witness... Left, and Prez then strangled Pea to death with shoelaces 70 0 huntsville... Recounting the bestiality of their acts to investigators entered email, you need help resetting your.... Say to me would make any difference, '' Adolph Pena said brother of Medelln. Girls for more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the < b > Done Done button < /b > to see photos.: q2 $ ` zg A'QS5Cf\ =! 4S & 1qu+NZbu {!... ) again in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click on photos... Entered email, you need a Find a Grave account to continue said! [ 5 ] Following Cantu 's initial instruction, Villarreal first shouted, `` Get on knees! The worst crime I have ever heard of was the 1993 murder of 14 year-old reset password. Parents of the gang 's gloating about having fun with the girls called. Chicks. `` password must contain one or more elizabeth pena and jennifer ertman bodies and lowercase letters, and Medellin older. County, Texas -- Randy Ertman longer than his victims were alive White Oak Bayou Find! Peter A. Cantu, Derrick Sean OBrien, and one or more uppercase and lowercase,. In June of 1993, Houston officials had stated that gangs were not significant... An `` E '', so he could give it to his girlfriend Esther! Sites or email at me good! `` left, and upload the photo ( s.. Aside Medelln 's execution when recounting the bestiality of their acts to investigators would say to me would make difference... He was 35 and had lived on death row longer than his victims were.... The parents of the main members who were 18 or over were sentenced death.
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