Thread: MS-13 Members Should Die, Prosecutors Tell Jury

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01556.html

MS-13 Members Should Die, Prosecutors Tell Jury

By Jerry Markon
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 24, 2005; Page B02

Two members of the Mara Salvatrucha street gang went on trial for their lives yesterday, with prosecutors telling jurors in U.S. District Court in Alexandria that the men deserved to die for participating in the execution of a 17-year-old government witness.

"Killing a witness in order to obstruct justice strikes at the heart of the criminal justice system," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Giles. "They killed Brenda Paz, stabbed her, cut her throat, knowing she was pregnant."

Attorneys for the men -- Ismael J. Cisneros, 26, and Oscar A. Grande, 25 -- argued that life in prison would be ample punishment for the July 2003 death of Paz, who was killed because she cooperated in federal and state investigations of the gang known as MS-13.

"Remember [the 1950s]? 'Leave it to Beaver?' " asked defense attorney David Baugh, pointing to his client, Grande. "Think about how long ago that was. Now take that and flip it over, and that's how long he will live in prison."

The same jury that convicted the men of killing Paz heard opening statements yesterday in the penalty phase of the trial. It is a mini-trial of its own, with prosecutors presenting evidence supporting their push for the death penalty and defense attorneys arguing that their clients should live. Jurors have two choices: death or life in prison without the possibility of release.

Jurors convicted Cisneros and Grande last week on all five counts they were charged with in June 2004, including conspiracy to retaliate against a federal witness and killing a person aiding a federal investigation. The jury acquitted two other MS-13 members charged in Paz's death: Denis Rivera, 21 -- who was accused of ordering her slaying from jail -- and Oscar Garcia-Orellana, 32.

Paz, an MS-13 member known within the gang as "Smiley," was killed weeks after leaving the federal witness protection program. Prosecutors say Grande and Cisneros stabbed her repeatedly after luring her to the Shenandoah River on the pretense of a fishing trip. The case is part of a broad federal crackdown on MS-13, which is considered Northern Virginia's largest and most violent street gang.

In her brief opening remarks yesterday, Giles said Grande and Cisneros should die because the crime involved "substantial planning and premeditation" and because it was committed "in an especially cruel, heinous and depraved manner."

Noting that some of her wounds were defensive, Giles said Paz, who was 16 weeks pregnant, "was alert and conscious during the attack."

Defense attorneys acknowledged the guilt of Grande and Cisneros but said their actions stemmed from the violent culture of MS-13 and their own upbringings. "If you live in an environment like this, there is a much greater likelihood that you are going to engage in violent activity," Baugh said. "That doesn't excuse it, but it does explain it." {So what? Who cares? Off with his head}

Nina Ginsberg, an attorney for Cisneros, told jurors that he grew up in abject poverty in Mexico City with an alcoholic father who beat him regularly. She said his father would kick the entire family out of the house and force them to sleep in the streets when he was drunk. {So what? That justifies what he did? Screw the excuses, he deserves death}

"The death of Brenda Paz was a tragedy. By the end of this trial, you will also come to see that the life of Ismael Cisneros was also a tragedy," Ginsberg told jurors. "Killing Mr. Cisneros as punishment will not undo Brenda Paz's death." {At least it will keep this perp from killing again you fool. What do you propose that we keep him in jail for life so we can pay for housing him? BS, kill them, kill them all. MS-13 are nothing, but rats that serve no purpose to society other than death. Kill all MS-13 rats and make the world a better place. Not one of these damn rats deserves to be breathing the same air as we do in society}

Quote:
"Remember [the 1950s]? 'Leave it to Beaver?' " asked defense attorney David Baugh, pointing to his client, Grande. "Think about how long ago that was. Now take that and flip it over, and that's how long he will live in prison."

If life was like it was in 'Leave it to Beaver', we wouldn't have a bunch of illegal aliens here in the first place. People back then were taught to respect and obey the law.
Even the show 'I Love Lucy' with Desi Arnez, who was my first experience with a person of another culture, respected American Laws and he became a citizen legally. And he was PROUD OF IT! There was no question that his role was an example of the 'kind of immigrant' America welcomes. People immigrated here for the love of our country and the opportunities provided to them. They didn't break laws to enter here, work under the table, bad-mouth, and disrespect everything and everyone in America.

"Killing a witness in order to obstruct justice strikes at the heart of the criminal justice system," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Giles. "They killed Brenda Paz, stabbed her, cut her throat, knowing she was pregnant."

This is so cruel that it is almost unfathomable. I have seen so dastardly things in my life. I hope this vermin rots in hell forever and a day.