Thread: Construction worker pleads guilty to murder in East Austin

Construction worker pleads guilty to murder in East Austin crash that killed Tennessee businessman

A Honduran construction worker pleaded guilty Monday to murder for driving drunk in East Austin last year and causing a crash that killed a Tennessee man who had just arrived in Austin on business.

Jaime Bonilla Alvarado, 24, entered the plea at the start of his trial in state District Judge Jim Coronado's court. A 12-member Travis County jury, which began hearing evidence about the case Monday, will decide his sentence. He faces up to life in prison.

"He's not running; he's not hiding from his responsibility," said Alvarado's lawyer, Brad Urrutia. "He's ready to face whatever consequences there are."

The punishment hearing is expected to continue through Wednesday.

Prosecutor Erika Sipiora told the jury that the case is about Robert Benn, 64, who died in the Aug. 31, 2009, crash in East Austin.

Benn had flown from Nashville to Austin for business meetings hours after learning that his daughter had given birth to his third grandchild, his family has said. He picked up a Dodge Charger rental car and headed from the airport to his hotel room.

Alvarado, who had three previous convictions for driving while intoxicated in Travis County, was deported to his native Honduras at least once before and has never had a driver's license in this country, officials said in the weeks after the wreck. Officials said that Alvarado had been prosecuted at least once for illegal re-entry into the country following a deportation.

In the moments before the 2009 crash, Austin police officer Christopher Geck tried to pull over Alvarado after witnessing Alvarado's Lincoln Navigator speeding on Pleasant Valley Road near East Cesar Chavez Street, an arrest affidavit said.

Geck turned on his emergency lights and sirens to get Alvarado to pull over, but Alvarado continued to drive at about 20 mph on several streets while throwing bottles out the window, according to Geck's testimony and video of the pursuit played in court.

At one point, Alvarado turned east onto Bolm Road, gunned the engine and sped toward Airport Boulevard, where he ran a red light and ran into Benn's rental car.

Geck described the impact, which sent smoke into the air, as chilling.

"I could hear it over my sirens," he said.

Geck said he went to check on the driver of the Navigator first. He paused and fought his emotions when Sipiora, the prosecutor, asked him why he went to Alvarado's car first.

"Based on the impact, ... I knew there was nothing I could do for the driver of the Dodge," Geck said.

He said that's when he went to the Dodge, he saw Benn had been crushed by the door. Geck asked if Benn was alright, he said. Benn let out a sigh, his eyes rolled back into his head, and his chin dropped to his chest, Geck said.

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/con ... 14458.html

When are we going to finally say, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!! This illegal criminal had previous convictions, had been deported and was back in the country breaking the law again. Folks, I think it's time for a CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE U.S. GOVERNMENT FOR FAILING TO SECURE THE BORDER AND CAUSING THE DEATH OF AMERICAN CITIZENS AS A RESULT!!

Travis county appears to have a track record of going easy on DUI and illegals. IMO judges that over seen cases prior should be fired.

Originally Posted by oldguy

Travis county appears to have a track record of going easy on DUI and illegals. IMO judges that over seen cases prior should be fired.

Austin is a Sanctuary City. so one expects them to go easy on anyone illegal

Originally Posted by jamesw62

Originally Posted by oldguy

Travis county appears to have a track record of going easy on DUI and illegals. IMO judges that over seen cases prior should be fired.

Austin is a Sanctuary City. so one expects them to go easy on anyone illegal

It's disgusting, yes. I live here and see it everyday. It's time to start putting more squeeze on Perry.

Originally Posted by TexasBorn

Originally Posted by jamesw62

Originally Posted by oldguy

Travis county appears to have a track record of going easy on DUI and illegals. IMO judges that over seen cases prior should be fired.

Austin is a Sanctuary City. so one expects them to go easy on anyone illegal

It's disgusting, yes. I live here and see it everyday. It's time to start putting more squeeze on Perry.

Perry cant tell the city leaders what to do though.
everything starts with the city council and mayor

...Alvarado, who had three previous convictions for driving while intoxicated in Travis County, was deported to his native Honduras at least once before and has never had a driver's license in this country, officials said in the weeks after the wreck. Officials said that Alvarado had been prosecuted at least once for illegal re-entry into the country following a deportation...

Firstly, it amazes me that the liberal Austin rag would even refer to his immigration status. Maybe they are wising up. Doubtful.

Second....3 DWI's, deported at least once, no drivers license. Now, if this were you or me with this kind of record, we would have been slapped with huge fines, lawsuits and finally jailed for murder. Why do the American people continue to tolerate this kind of behaviour? Are we BOUND for a civil war to stop this insanity?

And this guy who should never have been here was driving a Lincoln Navigator! Wonder what kind of business he was in????

Originally Posted by forest

And this guy who should never have been here was driving a Lincoln Navigator! Wonder what kind of business he was in????

we can guess. The illegal of today has more rights then average
Joe citizen.

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http://www.alipac.us/article-5654--0-0.html