Jury sentences Ronald Anthony Burgos-Aviles to Life
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Jul 18, 2023, 0 Comments
Courtesy Brigette Garay,
Laredo, Texas–The District Attorney’s Office reports that a jury sitting in the 49th District Court find Ronald Anthony Burgos-Aviles guilty of capital murder of person under 10 years F/X and Capital Murder of Multiple Persons F/X.
The jury was able to consider all the evidence presented from the guilt and innocence phase as well as additional evidence that was brought in from the State in the sentencing phase that began on Friday July 7, 2023.
The State presented evidence through a variety of witnesses including the director of TDCJ Timothy Fitzpatrick, who provided testimony regarding the differences between the lifestyle of an inmate sentenced to life without the possibility of parole and their privileges in comparison to an inmate sentenced to death row and their restrictions.
We heard from family members that shared an insight into who Grizelda and Dominic Hernandez were and the pain and loss they have endured from their deaths. The State also brought back Lead Detective Raimundo Garcia to introduce explicit messages sent before during and after the murders by the defendant. Mental Health Specialist Jose Luis Macias from the Webb County Jail testified that he did not observe any delusions or psychotic symptoms on the day that Burgos-Aviles arrived at the jail. Dana Sarquiz from the Webb County Sherriff’s Office Intelligence Unit, introduced jail calls and emails made by the defendant throughout his time in custody at the Webb County Jail.
The State showed communications made by Burgos-Aviles to show his manipulative, controlling, and calculated characteristics as well as his violent tendencies. The communications shared illustrated his ability to exhaust his resources to get around following the rules. Rebutting the defense’s theories of Burgos-Aviles being “poisoned” by his doctor with a combination of phentermine and testosterone causing him to allegedly suffer from psychosis, the State brought Dr. Dagoberto Gonzalez.
Dr. Gonzalez testified that there are no reported cases of phentermine and testosterone that resulted in psychosis and that Burgos-Aviles’ medical records showed that his dosages were within normal range. Dr. Gonzalez concluded that he “was absolutely not poisoned.” The trial, which took place before the 49th District Court Honorable Judge Joe Lopez, was presented to a jury over the course of 3 weeks. Based on the evidence and law the jury rendered a response to the future danger special issue question number 1 and mitigation special issue question number 2, with a response of “yes” and “yes” respectively.
Thus, resulting in the defendant, Ronald Anthony Burgos-Aviles being given Life without the possibility of parole. District Attorney Isidro R. Alaniz, Chief Assistant District Attorney Marisela Jacaman, Assistant District Attorney Daniel Elizondo, Assistant District Attorney Jesus Vigil, Assistant District Attorney Kassandra De Hoyos, and Assistant District Attorney Carlos Garza prosecuted the case for the State.
