Thread: Illegal Immigrants to Go to Court for Crimes in NC

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Illegal Immigrants to Go to Court for Crimes

Sep 22, 2006 12:54 PM PDT


WILMINGTON -- An illegal immigrant will go to trial on Monday for charges of attempted murder, according to prosecutors.

Miguel Ranjel allegedly shot Wilmington resident Michael Harrell outside the Carolina Cantina on Market Street in December 2005.

According to the police, Ranjel showed his gun to Harrell, and told Harrell that he was going to shoot people inside the restaurant. Ranjel then went to the bathroom. Harrell evacuated everyone in the restaurant.

When he came back out, Harrell had already gotten everyone outside. Police said that Ranjel then shot Harrell in the stomach and the arm.

Ranjel is charged with attempted first degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and resisting a police officer.

Prosecutors said that if Ranjel is convicted, he would will serve his sentence in North Carolina, then be deported.

That was just one of the two recent cases of illegal immigrants going to trial. Martin Vazquez, 42, is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter.

According to the police, Vazquez was drunk when he slammed into Benedict Randolph's car on Oleander Drive, killing Randolph.

An agent with Immigration Customs Enforcement told WECT that when illegal immigrants commit crimes in the U.S., they will be held accountable for what they have done, and then be deported to their native country.

Reported by Kacey Gaumer

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Man accused of attempted murder faces judge

Sep 25, 2006 01:41 PM PDT


WILMINGTON -- The man accused of opening fire in the parking lot of a popular Wilmington restaurant stood before a judge Monday.

Miguel Ranjel faces charges of attempted murder for shooting a man twice in the parking lot of Carolina Cantina last December.

The victim survived.

Monday jury members were selected so Ranjel's trial can begin Tuesday.

Prosecutors say Ranjel is an illegal immigrant, and if found guilty he could spend more than ten years behind bars before being deported.


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Witnesses Take the Stand in Miguel Ranjel Trial

Sep 26, 2006 02:23 PM PDT


WILMINGTON -- The first witnesses in the attempted murder trial of Miguel Ranjel took the stand Tuesday.

Ranjel, an illegal immigrant, is charged with shooting Michael Harrell in the stomach and arm at the Carolina Cantina in December 2005.

Two waitresses, who worked on the night of the shooting, told the jury that Ranjel had been trying to flirt with them, and became outraged when they rejected him.

Witness Lacey Morris said that Ranjel left, returned and started talking with Harrell.

The two went to the bathroom. When Harrell came out, he told Morris that Ranjel had a gun and threatened to use it.

Ranjel's lawyer Jennifer Harjo told the jury that Ranjel was not guilty of attempted murder, because he was acting in self defense.

Ranjel was scared for his life, Harjo said.

Prosecutors maintained that Ranjel is guilty of attempted murder, because he planned the shooting. But Harjo claimed the shooting was an unfortunate result of a struggle between the two men.

Reported by Kacey Gaumer



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Witnesses Take the Stand in Miguel Ranjel Trial

Sep 27, 2006 03:50 AM PDT


WILMINGTON -- The first witnesses took the stand Tuesday in the attempted murder trial of Miguel Ranjel.

Ranjel, an illegal immigrant, is charged with shooting Michael Harrell in the stomach and arm at the Carolina Cantina in December 2005.

Two waitresses who worked at the restaurant on the night of the shooting told the jury that Ranjel had tried to flirt with them, then became outraged when they rejected him.

Witness Lacey Morris said that Ranjel left, then returned and started talking with Harrell.

The two went to the bathroom. When Harrell came out, he told Morris that Ranjel had a gun and threatened to use it.

Ranjel's lawyer, Jennifer Harjo, told the jury that Ranjel was not guilty of attempted murder, because he was acting in self defense.

Ranjel was scared for his life, Harjo said.

Prosecutors maintained that Ranjel is guilty of attempted murder, because he planned the shooting. But Harjo claimed the shooting was the unfortunate result of a struggle between the two men.

Reported by Kacey Gaumer