Justice: Medellin Executed For Brutal Rape And Murder Of Houston Teens
He was gone in nine ‘peaceful’ minutes … Those two girls were terrorized, tortured, brutalized and slaughtered it what must have seemed like ten lifetimes to them.
By ALLAN TURNER and ROSANNA RUIZ - (Houston Chron)
HUNTSVILLE — The state of Texas defied an international court tonight and executed Jose Medellin for raping and murdering two teenage girls 15 years ago.
About a half-hour earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court had rejected a last-minute appeal to stay the execution, originally scheduled for 6 p.m.
Medellin was pronounced dead at 9:57 p.m., nine minutes after the lethal dose was administered.
As the court deliberated earlier, opposing groups of protesters gathered outside the death house. When the prison clock chimed six, a group of U.S. Border Watch members and others broke into cheers, thinking the execution had occurred.
Medellin is one of gang members condemned for the June 1993 gang rape and murder of Jennifer Ertman, 14, and Elizabeth Pena, 16, in T.C. Jester Park on Houston’s northwest side.
The girls were raped and strangled with a belt and shoelace after they stumbled into a drunken gang initiation rite while cutting through the park to get home before their curfew.
Elaine Jackson of Houston, who identified herself as a friend of the Pena family, was among those supporting the execution.
“The girls didn’t get a second chance, why should he?” she demanded. “Why should he keep on breathing?”
On the other side of the street, Nancy Bailey was among those opposing the execution. Putting Medellin to death, she said, would flout the nation’s treaty commitments and would endanger Americans arrested abroad.
Medellin, who granted few interviews while on death row, told a Mexican news reporter that he had 15 years in prison to compose his emotions. On Monday and Tuesday, he visited with his parents, whom he had not seen since 2001.
Prison spokeswoman Michelle Lyons said the parents were barred from the prison after they were overheard plotting an escape for Medellin. Also Tuesday, Medellin spoke by telephone to his younger brother, Venacio, who is serving a 40-year sentence in connection with the crime.
Jose Medellin is in a holding cell near execution chamber.
Six gang members were convicted of the killings. Derrick O’Brien was executed in July 2006. Gang leader Peter Cantu remains on death row. Two others, who were 17 at the time of the crime, had their death sentences commuted to life in prison. The younger Medellin, who was a juvenile, was sentenced to a 40-year prison term.
Ertman and Pena were raped and strangled after they stumbled into a drunken gang initiation rite while cutting through the park in order to get home before a curfew.
For days after the murders, police and the girls’ parents frantically searched for the missing teens. Four days after the crime, a tip from a gang member’s brother led authorities to the bodies, then to the suspects.
Within three hours of his arrest, Medellin admitted his role in the gruesome murders, appalling authorities with his boastful, callous description of the night’s events.
Medellin’s case created international controversy when the United Nations’ world court determined Texas had violated the killer’s rights under the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations by denying him access to the Mexican consulate.
In 2004, the world court ordered a hearing be held to determine if the treaty violation damaged the killer’s defense. In July, it ordered that a stay be granted.
President Bush and other federal officials urged Texas to grant the hearing, but Texas officials adamantly refused.
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Justice served.
Fuck the world. I can sorta understand though President’s Bush justification for his opposition to this, however. He thought by Texas defying the international courts, it would result in Americans convicted of murder overseas not being able to get all the benefits of a fair trial. However, I still think any American will always get an unfair trial overseas, regardless.
August 5th, 2008 at 7:42 pmFirst, good for Texas!
Second, good riddens to that fucker!
Lastly:
On the other side of the street, Nancy Bailey was among those opposing the execution. Putting Medellin to death, she said, would flout the nation’s treaty commitments and would endanger Americans arrested abroad.
I am not worried about Americans arrested abroad at all. If I travel abroad, I will just make sure I don’t accidentially terrorize, torture, rape and kill two young women.
August 5th, 2008 at 7:45 pmWe have passed him on to God to be Judged.
August 5th, 2008 at 7:51 pmgawd bless Texas!!
August 5th, 2008 at 7:53 pmGood for Texas.
August 5th, 2008 at 8:05 pmGood for America.
Fuck the U.N.
This sub-scum’s termination is a hopeful step in the right direction. Still, I carry L’d and C’d cause he is just one of many roamin our homeland. If ever there was a time to clean house,
just sayin…
August 5th, 2008 at 9:55 pmOh….forgot one thing
DEAR U.N
PLEASE MOVE YOURSELVES TO SOME 4TH WORLD COUNTRY THAT STILL THINKS YOUR COOL. TODAY IS GOOD FOR ME!
I’LL EVEN CALL A CAB FOR YA!
DON’T LET THE DOOR HIT YA IN THE ASS ON THE WAY OUT
August 5th, 2008 at 10:11 pmAND THANKS FOR SUCKIN OFF THE U.S.A. TEAT FOR THE LAST 60+ YEARS YOU COMMIE POUSERS……
Where’s Mel?
August 5th, 2008 at 10:29 pmFifteen years ago? FIFTEEN FUCKING YEARS AGO!? This ass hole has been living off of our tax dollars for fifteen years. Fifteen years, food, shelter, clothing, water, electricity, heat, entertainment, etc. Fifteen years. I don’t think “death row” should exist.
I’ve said it here before and I’ll say it again.
Once the ruling is passed down from the judges. Let him sit there for a moment, in the court room. Let it sink in. Give him some time to think about it. Seek forgiveness from what ever god he choses. Cuffed, escort him to a nice concrete pad out behind the courthouse. Offer him his last cigarette and a blind fold. Put him on his knees. Un-holster your pistol. Rack a round or let him hear you set the hammer. Put it to the back of his fucking head and put him down.
August 6th, 2008 at 12:09 amNo tax dollars wasted supporting his worthless ass. Let those inmates serving on working details clean up the mess.
And remember to serve beer as this shit should be kept public. Hell, give the family members the opportunity to put the round in his head.
He got what he deserved
August 6th, 2008 at 3:03 amNot soon enough!
(reload) 
(reload) 
August 6th, 2008 at 5:54 amWait … Can we dig him up and ’stone’ him?
August 6th, 2008 at 7:47 amMexico, get ahold of your murdering thugs and keep them in your screwed up nation if you don’t want them to be executed when we catch them in Texas.
August 6th, 2008 at 9:22 amAll six should have been executed for the horrific rape & murder of two girls who had their whole lives in front of them, still two down ,four to go. Only wish the UK would bring back the death sentance - an eye for an eye i say.
August 16th, 2008 at 3:50 pmWhilst i don’t condone rape i understand why it happens but i just can’t understand why anyone would murder someone so innocent & defenceless like that , wether or not you believe in God you should consider this - what goes around - comes around - what you do to others may be done to you - hopefully with interest !! Take care peeps, Grant.