Thread: Man (illegal) charged with killing three at after-hours club

It would be an easy decision for me to make. Thats for sure.

http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centreda ... 496463.htm

Posted on Tue, Sep. 12, 2006

Jury to begin deliberations in triple shooting outside club

Associated Press

HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. - A jury will be asked to decide whether a construction worker intended to kill three people shot outside a social club where his friend was denied entry.

Miguel Padilla, 27, of Gallitzin, could face the death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder in the shootings outside the United Veterans Association Club in Altoona on Aug. 28, 2005. Closing arguments were expected to begin Tuesday morning.

Authorities said Padilla was with a friend when they were denied admission to the club. While his friend argued and cursed with club workers, Padilla walked to his vehicle and pulled a gun from under his seat, police said.

Prosecutors said Padilla shot doorman Fredrick Rickabaugh Sr., 59, four times - including twice in the back - before shooting club owner Alfred Mignogna, 61, three times and patron Stephen M. Heiss, 28, who was waiting for his girlfriend to enter the club.

Psychologists called by the prosecution and the defense Monday disagreed about the intent of the defendant.

"When I look at all the behaviors here, the idea (Padilla) was acting to protect a friend or himself was less likely than saying, 'I'm not going to be pushed around,'" psychologist Gerald Cook of Philadelphia testified Monday on behalf of Blair County prosecutors.

But psychologist Stephen Ragusea, who testified in Padilla's defense, said other factors in Padilla's background, including alcohol and drug abuse and alleged sexual abuse by an uncle in his native Mexico, kept Padilla from forming a legal intent to kill.

Padilla's attorney, public defender Donald E. Speice, has not disputed that his client shot the victims but argues that Padilla did not form a legal intent to kill.

If the defendant is convicted of first-degree murder, jurors must then hear more evidence and decide whether to sentence him to death or to life in prison without parole.


This article has a video available at the link.

http://www.wjactv.com/news/9831101/detail.html
Jury Could Get Padilla Case Tuesday

POSTED: 1:46 pm EDT September 12, 2006
UPDATED: 2:21 pm EDT September 12, 2006

HOLLIDAYSBURG -- The triple murder trial of illegal immigrant Miguel Padilla could go to the jury Tuesday.

Closing arguments began earlier in the day, with the defense focusing on two things: First, did Padilla have the intent to kill the three men, and second, did the prosecution prove that intent beyond a reasonable doubt.

Defense attorney Don Speice said Padilla clearly intended to pick up a gun and shoot, but said his client did not intend to kill.

Speice said Padilla was impaired the night of the killings, and lacked medication in addition to drinking alcohol and using drugs. The attorney argued that Padilla was impaired to the point that he could not form the intent to kill.

The prosecution, district attorney Rich Consiglio, read the legal definition of intent to kill, which included a statement about circumstantial evidence saying the jury can find Padilla guilty of first-degree murder on the basis that he used a deadly weapon on a vital part of the body.

The defense asked the jury to find Padilla guilty of third-degree murder because he was impaired and didn't intend to kill the men.

Consiglio argued for the first-degree murder conviction for all three killings, and said the bullet which killed Stephen Heiss was intended to kill either Al Mignogna or Frederick Rickabaugh.

Stay with Channel 6 News for continuing coverage.

GUILTY--FIRST DEGREE MURDER

ALL THREE COUNTS!!!!!




The jury just came back a little bit ago. I can barely type, I'm shaking so bad.

That was fast, but I'm not surpised. Now will he get the death penalty or life?

the sentencing hearing is to start tomorrow.

Great! The jury didn't buy the defense's garbage.

now we just have to pray for alife sentence, not the death pentalty. we dont want Mexico sticking its nose where it doesnt belong

Mexico is going to meddle regardless of the sentencing. They are probably already doing so behind the scenes now. I wouldn't let them intimidate you. It's time someone stands up to them and tells them to butt out.

I say let him get the death sentence and suffer in solitary on death row for years of appeals rather than a life sentence right off the bat.

Beautiful headline.

http://www.altoonamirror.com/News/artic ... cleID=4745

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 — Time: 5:18:56 PM EST

Padilla guilty, could face death



HOLLIDAYSBURG - A jury convicted Miguel Padilla today on three counts of first degree murder.

The first degree conviction means Padilla could received the death penalty. A hearing will be held tomorrow to determine whether he gets life in prison or death.

Mirror reporters are working on a story for Wednesday's newspaper.