They also were accused of trying to kill 18 others, most of them gang members who refused to pay “taxes” to the Eme. 2-5.Īmong the 29 counts, the defendants were accused of killing seven people, most of them Eme members who fell out of favor. “They should have given it some more time.” “For them to put somebody in prison for probably the rest of their lives, that was too quick,” Moreno said. Richard Moreno, brother of defendant Jesse Moreno, criticized the jury for delivering what he called a hasty verdict. I thought we would both get a second chance.” “My mind is blank,” said Sally Soto, who is engaged to Peters and plans to ask for the judge’s permission to marry him before he is transferred to a federal prison.įighting back tears, Soto added: “I thought he was going to get a second chance. While the other defense attorneys declined comment, some of the defendants’ relatives and supporters struggled for words to express their disappointment. “I’m still trying to figure out why they charged him in this case,” Stanford said. Outside the court, Murrillo’s lawyer, Elliot Stanford, said the government had no case against him. “I know you’re happy but I haven’t signed the papers yet,” the judge told him. The usually reserved Murrillo was admonished by U.S. When it was clear that Murrillo was acquitted, several other defendants shouted their joy to him or shook his hand. The defendants showed little emotion as the guilty verdicts were read. The courtroom was silent as Juror 19, a woman, handed in the verdicts. The reading of the verdicts Friday afternoon, culminating 10 days of jury deliberations, was delayed as more than two dozen reporters and family members tried to get into the high-security courtroom. Gallardo also was found liable for the death of Eastside anti-gang activist Ana Lizarraga, another film advisor.Īlso convicted of racketeering and other charges were Juan “China Boy” Arias, 27 Daniel “Black Dan” Barela, 51 Ruben “Nite Owl” Castro, 36 Raymond “Champ” Mendez, 46 Jesse “Pelon” Moreno, 58 Raymond “Huero Shy” Shryock, 45 and Joe “Shakey Joe” Hernandez, 42. Gallardo and Therrien were found guilty of killing Charles “Charlie Brown” Manriquez, another Eme member who also was an unpaid advisor on the movie. Three of the defendants, David “Smilon” Gallardo, 37, Alex “Pee Wee” Aguirre, 32, and Randy “Cowboy” Therrien, 36, were found guilty of killing Eme member Manuel “Rocky” Luna, an unpaid advisor on Olmos’ 1992 movie. Other than Manella’s statement, the prosecutors had no comment, leaving unanswered the question of whether federal officials plan more efforts against the Mexican Mafia.
One investigator who worked on the case called the verdict a “double-edged sword.” Even though some of the Eme’s major leaders, who ruthlessly controlled street gangs, were convicted, a greater potential of violence exists because gang members may not be reined in as tightly when h these leaders are dispersed across the federal prison system. I think it’s going to be business as usual.” “They’ve come too far, and it’s been too many years.
“I don’t think the mob’s going to shut down because of this,” said a veteran state corrections official, who asked not to be identified. In recent months, while the case against the 13 defendants dragged on in the Roybal Federal Building downtown, Eme leaders have continued to meet with local street gangs, “tax” their profits from drug sales and issue orders to carry out Mexican Mafia wishes, they say. While the government scored the court victory over the Eme, the actual effect of the convictions on the streets is questionable, according to law enforcement experts who monitor the prison gang. “They are capable of killing people without a second’s thought about it.” “The verdicts don’t surprise me because I know of no other deadly group like the Eme,” said former Mexican Mafia member Ramon “Mundo” Mendoza, who keeps his whereabouts a secret to avoid Eme reprisals. The verdicts were lauded by a former Mexican Mafia member who left the group to aid law enforcement.
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