Minuteman Shawna Forde given max of 65 on remaining charges

 Posted by Porter Corn on 2011/04/25  4 Responses »
Apr 252011
 
Minuteman Shawna Forde given max of 65 on remaining charges

Judge John S. Leonardo sentenced convicted double murderer and Minuteman Shawna Forde to an additional 65 years on the remaining charges she was convicted of  in February. She was sentenced to death for the murders of 9-year-old Brisenia Flores and her father Raul on May 30, 2009. Forde got the 65 years on attempted murder, burglary, aggravated assault and robbery charges. All sentences but one are to be served consecutively to the other including the death sentence for the murders. Consecutive means that the total time will be served as opposed to concurrent where time for all offenses is served in one block of time. Here’s the breakdown of Judge Leonardo’s decision. Count 3:  Burglary in the first degree. 15 MORE

Convicted double murderer Shawna Fordes fate is in the hands of the jurors now

 Posted by Porter Corn on 2011/02/18  1 Response »
Feb 182011
 
Convicted double murderer Shawna Fordes fate is in the hands of the jurors now

Finally, closing arguments are over and all that remains is the decision of 12 of her “peers” whether convicted double murderer and Minuteman Shawna Forde goes to Arizona’s death row or Judge John S. Leonardo sentences her to life in prison, for masterminding the murders of 9 yea old Brisenia Flores and her father Raul. UPDATE Jurors have gone home for the weekend without returning a verdict. They will return Tuesday morning to continue deliberations In their closing statements, Defense attorny’s Eric Larsen and Jill Thorpe asked jurors to consider the Forde’s “moral culpability” for the crimes. comparing her actions to those of the shooter, Jason Eugene “Gunny” Bush, whose trial will follow Fordes on March 1st. Thorpe finally conceded MORE

Shawna Forde Murder Trial – Insight into Forde’s marriages shows pattern of bigamy and adultery

 Posted by Porter Corn on 2011/02/18  3 Responses »
Feb 182011
 
Shawna Forde Murder Trial - Insight into Forde's marriages shows pattern of bigamy and adultery

Further testimony of mitigation expert Margaret DiFrank revealed a pattern of adultery and bigamy during the 5 marriage over the course of convicted double murderer Shawna Forde life. As reported in the Arizona Daily Star by Kim Smith, who has been covering the trial:

Jury Selection begins today in Shawna Forde murder case

 Posted by Porter Corn on 2011/01/11  1 Response »
Jan 112011
 
Jury Selection begins today in Shawna Forde murder case

Jury selection begins this morning at 10:30 a.m despite a last minute request yesterday for a continuance by Defense Attorney Eric Larsen, when he told Judge John Leonardo he doesn’t feel “emotionally equipped” to handle Forde’s defense in light of Saturday’s mass shooting. Larsen knew Judge John Roll as did practically every practicing attorney and Judge in southern Arizona, This follows Larsen’s attempt at a postponement after the revelation that Leland “Red” Sprout aka “Cockroach Hunter” could be a possible fourth suspect in the murders. In reality, Larsen has probably come to the conclusion that he will be on the losing end of this courtroom battle and wants to delay the inevitable as long as possible. Immigration Clearinghouse will be MORE

Shawna Forde – More Evidence emerges in Arivaca killings

 Posted by on 2010/02/15  18 Responses »
Feb 152010
 
Shawna Forde - More Evidence emerges in Arivaca killings

Defense attorneys for Albert Gaxiola were back in court to ask presiding Judge John Leonardo to reconsider his decision to allow prosecutors to pursue the death penalty for him. Gaxiola, Shawna Forde and Jason Bush are charged with first-degree murder in last year’s deaths of Raul Flores, Jr. and his young daughter, Brisenia. If convicted, the three could receive the death penalty. Flores was shot six times, three times in the chest, once each in the head, arm and hand. His 9-year-old daughter was shot twice in the face.

Pima Country Grand Jury indicts Shawna Forde with multiple counts – Death Penalty possible

 Posted by on 2009/06/23  1 Response »
Jun 232009
 
Pima Country Grand Jury indicts Shawna Forde with multiple counts - Death Penalty possible

Shawna Forde, 41, Albert Robert Gaxiola, 42, and Jason Eugene Bush, 34, have been indicted by a Pima County Arizona on two counts each of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder, as well as burglary, aggravated assault and robbery charges in the home invasion and murder of Raul and Bresenia Flores, and the attempted murder of the mother, Gina Marie Gonzalez. The arraignment is scheduled for June 29 in Pima County Superior Court, Tucson Arizona. Rick Unklesbay, chief trial counsel for the Pima County Attorney’s Office, said prosecutors have until 60 days after the arraignment to announce if they intend to seek the death penalty. Other than that, the DA declined further comment on the case.