Thread: Houston- Father fights parole for convict in murder, gang rape of his daughter

Father fights parole for convict in murder, gang rape of his daughter

by Doug Miller
KHOU 11 News
Posted on September 5, 2012 at 10:58 AM

MUST WATCH VIDEO AT LINK

HOUSTON— Randy Ertman doesn’t care much for talking to reporters anymore, but now he figures he doesn’t have much choice.

"I want this man to spend the rest of his life in prison," he said, then he corrects himself. "I’m sorry I said ‘man.’ I want that piece of crap to die in prison. And I’ll do whatever I have to do to make sure he stays in prison."

Ertman’s face may not be familiar, but a photograph of his smiling 14 year-old daughter seared itself into the memories of a generation of Houstonians. Jennifer Ertman and her friend Elizabeth Pena were savagely gang-raped and murdered in an hour-long horror that unfolded one night in a northwest Houston park.

The crime stunned the city, especially after trials revealed agonizing details of how the girls suffered and begged for mercy during the last hour of their lives. Almost as disturbing as the crime itself was the feral and remorseless behavior of the gang members, who boasted to friends and relatives about the girls’ blood on their clothes. Even after their arrests, they cursed and kicked as police detectives walked them into the courthouse.

Three of the gang-members have since been executed. The other attackers, who were sentenced to prison terms, periodically come up for parole.　

Venancio Medellin was 14 years old when he tagged along with his older brother to the gang initiation in T.C Jester Park that night in July 1993.

He testified that he participated in the rape of Ertman, but did not help kill either of the girls. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison. Now, Medellin is up for parole.

That’s what brought Randy Ertman to Huntsville Tuesday morning for a closed-door meeting with a member of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.

　
"It tears your heart apart," Ertman said. "It breaks your heart. But I have to do what I have to do for my daughter. I’m gonna do it."

Ertman and his wife, Sandy, spent almost an hour meeting with the parole board member, explaining why they believe Medellin should stay in prison. They were accompanied by Andy Kahan, the city’s victim rights advocate, who has known the family ever since the two girls disappeared.

"It’s absolutely gut-wrenching," Kahan said."It takes its emotional toll. It’s almost like time stops.　 Even though it’s been 20 years, it’s almost like we’re going back to that fatal day, June 25, 1993, when Elizabeth and Jenny turned up missing, and ultimately dead."

Ertman’s anger often boiled over after his daughter’s death. As he ran to the crime scene, he yelled and cursed at police officers who tried to keep him away. After one of the killers was sentenced to death, the judge made history by allowing a victim’s impact statement. Ertman screamed at the convicted murderer.　

But his fiery red hair has grayed. He and his wife have moved away from Houston and taken up residence in Sommerville. And after Tuesday’s hearing, he made a point of personally thanking and shaking the hand of every reporter and photographer who traveled to Huntsville to cover the proceedings.

"I don’t want people to feel sorry for me or nothing, but that was our only child," he says.　"And my wife, it tears her heart every day. It tears me apart every day. But I ain’t gonna be weak. I have to be strong for my wife and the people of Houston, who’ve always backed us."　

Ertman, who’s now 60 years old, expects Medellin to die in prison.

Nonetheless, if he serves out his sentence, he could be released when he’s in his mid-50s. That’s why the father of the girl Medellin admitted raping before her death vows to show up for every parole hearing.
"I have to fight for my daughter," he said. "I’m getting tired, but I’m going to keep going."

A decision on Medellin’s parole is expected during the next few weeks.
Father fights parole for convict in murder, gang rape of his daughter | wfaa.com Dallas - Fort Worth

SEE:
http://www.alipac.us/f12/texas-expun...st-5-a-115226/

http://www.alipac.us/f12/texas-mexic...ecuted-119262/

http://www.alipac.us/f12/internation...derers-116869/

http://www.alipac.us/f12/fed-officia...review-118297/
http://www.alipac.us/f12/medellin-ex...-teens-119519/
　

The sad part is that Texas will eventually parole this POS. Whoever is Goveror when that happens should suffer the fate of Jennifer Ertman.

"I don’t want people to feel sorry for me or nothing, but that was our only child," he says.

Good God, who wouldn't feel sorry for him? That was so tragic.

Senator Ted Cruz shared Andrea Watkins FOX 26's status.

11 hours ago


Twenty-one years ago, a horrific crime shocked the conscience of my hometown of Houston.

Two teenage girls were brutally gang-raped and murdered as they walked home one evening. Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena were taken from us by an act of unspeakable cruelty.

Jennifer's father, Randy Ertman, emerged from the tragic loss of his only daughter to became a resolute and powerful advocate for justice.

As the father of daughters myself, I cannot begin to comprehend his pain -- first on that night and then in almost the two decades of hearings, trials and media headlines.

This morning we learned that Randy has passed away following a battle with cancer.

Andrea Watkins with FOX 26 posted a message today recalling how Randy bravely delivered one of the first victim-impact statements in a Harris County courtroom, advancing the cause of victims’ rights.

Years ago, as the Solicitor General of Texas, I argued in Medellin v. Texas that neither the World Court nor the President of the United States had the constitutional authority to prevent Texas from executing Jose Ernesto Medellin, one of the gang leaders who committed this horrific crime. The United States Supreme Court agreed.

Today, I remain in awe of Randy's courage and resolve.

I offer my most sincere condolences to his family during this time but take solace in knowing that he and Jennifer are reunited in the presence of Our Creator.

My family prays for everlasting peace for the Ertman family. Godspeed, Randy.

UPDATE: Randy passed away late Sunday night. But I want you to know he spent Saturday and Sunday reading your comments here. He was very touched by your memories, support and prayers. Thank you.

Please say prayers for Randy and Sandy Ertman today. I just talked to Randy by phone and learned Randy is in hospice care at his home with inoperable lung cancer.

The Ertman's daughter, Jennifer, was murdered 21 years ago in one of Houston's most notorious crimes. She and her best friend, Elizabeth Pena, were 14 and 16 years old when they died.

Randy is seen in the black and white Houston Chronicle photo below delivering a gut wrenching message to gang leader, Peter Cantu, after he was convicted of Capital Murder. Randy didn't know the judge was going to allow that, so he didn't have a statement prepared. His words were blisteringly honest and there were few dry eyes in the courtroom. I know mine weren't. That was one the first victim-impact statements ever delivered in a Harris County courtroom. Now they are the norm and planned in advance.

And, because of Randy, families of victims can witness executions. That is one more of several things he did to advance the cause of victims' rights.

I'm sorry for the long post, but I've developed a sincere and deep respect for Randy and Sandy over these many years. They've allowed me to stay in touch with them to cover the countless news stories related to the murders since 1993. I know many of you may not remember what happened back then, so I think it's worth a reminder.

I'm sending my prayers and I hope you will, too, in this difficult time.






https://www.facebook.com/SenatorTedCruz

Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena two young women who were brutally murdered because of illegal immigration. Joe Biden was in the US Senate when these ladies were murdered yet he continues to work for illegal aliens and amnesty. The body count does not matter but the undocumented voters do.

Move this article to the new Americans Killed by Illegals section.