L Passo, Texas (KTSM) The Lawyer of the La Passo Province, James Monteoya, said that the decision not to seek the death penalty in front of the shooting on the Wall Mart Patrick Crossus comes after he met the families of the victims, saying, “They want this case and did it as soon as possible.”
MonToya talked about the case of the murder of the capital against the shooter at Wall Mart at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, March 25, in the Enrique Mourino County Court.
This press conference came the next day to break matters in the story that Monteoya will not seek the death penalty in the case.
Da office said that since he took office on January 1, Monteoya has pledged to meet each family out of 23 people who were killed on August 3, 2019 at the Cielo Vista Walmart store. CRUSIUS was also wounded by more than 20 others in the racist motivation attack.
The DA office said that the purpose of the meetings is to listen directly from the families about what they feel about the case, the suspended trial, and the continuous pursuit of the death penalty.
“You know, there was a preliminary scheduling order that will start, or we will try to start trial here in El Passo next January, January 2026. We will try to choose a jury here. I have long believed that a jury from El Pasoans should be the one that decides the punishment of this defendant,” Montoya said.
However, Monteoya added that he told the families that he was not sure that this would be possible, and that there would be a challenge to find 12 heavy and enlightened jurors in El Passo who have already taken their minds on an appropriate punishment.
“In my career, there was a just possibility that we had to move the location of this experience. This would add to the delay. We discussed the fact that there is still a huge amount of litigation before the trial that was left. In fact, it may take months or years.”
Montoya said that the date of the start of the experiment in January 2026 was not realistic, and it could be delayed until late 2026, 2027, or, or the worst scenario, the trial can be delayed until 2028 if the DA office continues to chase the death penalty.
When talking to families, Monteoya said, “The vast majority of them (families) want this issue and implement it as quickly as possible.”
Monoya said that there are family members who do not want the death penalty. However, many family members wanted to continue to search for the death penalty, regardless of the period it took.
After weighing everything and talking to more than 50 individuals, victims, family members, and survivors, Monoya said he could not continue to follow the death penalty.
“I could, in good condition, continue to seek the death penalty against the desires of many victims. It is so simple.”
Monteoya said that there is still a month to go even to confess Crusius to be guilty and is sentenced on Monday, April 21, in the provincial court 409, but it was important to clarify his decision in society.
Now that the DA office is no longer looking for the death penalty, Monteoya said it is expected to shoot Wal -Mart to hold a life sentence without conditional release.
“This defendant will die in prison. He will not go out. He will die in prison. Basically, it is about it: will we withdraw this? For a year, for two years, for decades, so that we can stick to a needle in his arm? He will die in prison.
Monteoya said that after Krossius acknowledged guilt and the judge ruled in life without the conditional release and statements of the victim, he will go to the Ministry of Criminal Justice in Texas (TDCJ).
However, there is a simultaneous federal penalty, 90 rulings, respectively,
As we mentioned earlier, Crusius acknowledged that he was guilty of federal charges again in July 2023 and sentenced to 90 secret rulings in a row.
Monoya explained that the shooter Wal -Mart, who spends his penalty in Supermax, is just a recommendation, and even if they agreed to that, the final decision regarding the place where his sentence will return will return to the prison authorities, which means that it will be between TDCJ and the federal prison office.
In addition, Monteoya explained that earlier on Tuesday, Judge Sam Midrano resolved the gap that was placed in the case in 2022, which means that the participants in the case, including claim, defense, victims and families, could talk to the news outlets if they choose to.
The DA office said that Monteoya is the fourth provincial lawyer who oversees the collective shooting case in Wall Mart, which was full of delayed delay in the roaming epidemic, the forced resignation of the provincial lawyer, Yvonne Rosales, and allegations of defending misconduct.
In addition, the Catholic Bishop Mark C. The next statement on El Passo Da does not seek the death penalty for Crusius:
“We learned yesterday evening that provincial lawyer James Monteoya will not seek the death penalty for Patrick Crossus. At this moment, our prayers with families who suffer daily remain their loved ones who have lost that day and many who will always live with that shock. We ask God to surround his love and give them comfort.
“As a follower of Christ, we believe in the sake of all human life and we remain opposed to the death penalty even in the face of this hateful act and violence. While we believe that society needs protection from any person who commits such a crime, our society will not be safer or better by searching for more blood.
“While many may believe that the death penalty will bring the closure, in fact, the additional trials and appeal over the years will only reinforce those who were injured. The killing of the perpetrator will not return those who were lost.
“All this is clear to us through the teachings of Christ who calls us to recognize the basic dignity of every human being and confidence that in light of his resurrection, death does not have the last word.”