Nueces County prosecutors seek woman's execution (Texas)

[Judi Lynn]

Aug. 20, 2005, 6:50PM

Nueces County prosecutors seek woman's execution
While lawyer says gender not of note, defendant's sex is reason case could be historic
By MICHAEL GRACZYK
Associated Press

CORPUS CHRISTI - For the first time in the nearly 160-year history of Nueces County, prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against a woman. Fourteen jurors, two of them alternates, were to report Monday for the capital murder case against Maria Raquel Rivas, whom prosecutors and her lawyer describe as a prostitute.

Rivas, 30, is accused of handing a knife to her boyfriend last year so he could kill a Liberty County man. Her boyfriend was convicted but wasn't sentenced to death.

"It is kind of unusual," Grant Jones, Rivas' lawyer, said of the possible punishment facing his client. "I'm not sure they've picked the right case here, but we'll see."

The prosecutor, Gail Gleimer, said gender is not a factor and that the death penalty is an option even though Rivas is not accused in the actual killing.

"The guy was the stabber; but the evidence was she brought him back and she handed him the knife, so she had a big participation," Gleimer said.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3318199
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[rodeodance]

1. so the boyfriend actually stabbed the person and NOT sentenced to

death---so now they are going after her!!
Seems like the old--an eye for eye is at play here. I am not a believer in capitol punishment and this prob makes me bias--but the above story shows what is wrong with capitol punishment.



....Rivas, 30, is accused of handing a knife to her boyfriend last year so he could kill a Liberty County man. Her boyfriend was convicted but wasn't sentenced to death.

[DELUSIONAL]

2. By that logic -- bushie is guilty of murder in Iraq --

he pointed the military Iraq and said -- go get 'em.

[Jack_DeLeon]

3. I currently live in Nueces County.

I support the death penalty.

When its all over I dont think the jurors will give her the death penalty, however IMO I wouldnt lose any sleep over her if she did recieve it.

If we captured Osama, FWIW I think he is already dead, I dont think many Americans would have any problem with giving him the death penalty despite the fact that he didnt actually fly any of those planes on 9/11.

[saigon68]

4. In my state the people got rid of the death penalty in 1850

I'm glad we don't use it to discipine Darkies (ie: Browns and Blacks) here in WI

[Jack_DeLeon]

5. *golf clap*

I along with almost 60% of the population of Nueces County are Hispanics.

Race isnt an issue in this case.

Personally I think it would be nice if more whites were as willing to sentance thier own to death for the murders they commit as they are to sentance as you put it "darkies."

But in the future it wont matter because the Hispanic majority wont have a problem doing it for them.

[countmyvote4real]

8. I assume that you are for the death penalty in the case.

And perhaps in general. (That’s spooky.) While the comments of a previous post seemed to upset your sensibilities, I’m even more freaked that you speak (or presume to) for your entire Hispanic community in support for the death penalty in this case or in general.

That skeleton festival must really condition you to make no bones about it. (I just put that in to rile you up some more.)

It’s 2005. Evolution or even “Intelligent Design” should have some more evolved positions on State sanctioned murder. Personally, I don’t think we, as a state, county or whatever, should be in the life or death business… Punishment, yes. Snuff, no.

[Jack_DeLeon]

11. Actually I dont know...

personally I probably would not give the death penalty in a case where the actual person who carried out the crime didnt themselves get sentanced to death.

However there are probably cases more mob leader, or gang leader types where I could see how the person who wanted someone killed and not the actual killer could deserve the death penalty instead.

It really depends on the facts of this particular case. I can see how support for the death penalty in this case could go either way.

I’m even more freaked that you speak (or presume to) for your entire Hispanic community in support for the death penalty in this case or in general.

I speak for myself and those that I know. Most Hispanics that I know who live in South Texas, friends, family, coworkers all support the death penalty to some degree.

I cannot say that I personally know any Hispanic person who thinks that the death penalty in and of itself is wrong. Yes it can be abused and most likely has, but I dont know anyone who doesnt think that there are evil motherfuckers in this would that we would be better off without.

[Ilsa]

14. Hi Jack!

I'm only a hundred miles or so up the road from you.

I think that is the primary problem I have with the death penalty: it isn't fairly administered. Minorities are much more likely to get the death penalty than whites, so it loses its credibility as far as being a "fair" sentence where I'm concerned.

I'm having a hard time with her getting the death penalty when she wasn't the one that did the killing. This woman may be "discardable" by society, but to me, that doesn't warrant the death penalty.

[amber dog democrat]

13. I just don't see the logic of having her executed

- if some one else actually did the murder.

As a 4th generation Texas who does not support the death penalty, I am mindful of what kind of historical and cultural mean streak Texas has with respect to capital punishment. There is too many incidents of innocent people being sentenced to death for me to feel comfortable with this process.

Life without parole seems sufficient in the most egregious cases to me.

I a still wondering why didn't T Cullen Davis get the death penalty. Its OK to go after poor blacks and Hispanics but not Texas Millionaires.

[leesa]

15. Most Americans wouldn't, even though there has been no evidence

presented that he was involved. Most Americans are bloodthirsty and don't believe in trials.

[wli]

6. abolish the death penalty

It's completely racist and vast numbers of "cases" are fabricated.

[Jack_DeLeon]

7. I'm sure in a couple of decades the racists will agree with you...

Oh noes we dont want dem Mexicans to be able to sentance us to death.

IMO turnabout is fair fucking play.

[Pithlet]

12. Yeah.

That's exactly why the person you responded to wants to abolish the death penalty :eyes:

[Lioness]

17. Sadly, your remarks have a decidely racist flavor.

Justice and equality are ideals most, if not all, "progressives" support. We are well aware of the inequities in the current system, and are trying to correct them. It is therefore difficult to understand your appetite for vengence - you gleefully explained there would be a payback when your ethnic group reaches population majority. Gee, I can hardly wait! It's nice to know that those of us dedicated to achieving justice are so appreciated and valued by you!

An apology is in order.

[newyawker99]

20. Hi Lioness!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[TreasonousBastard]

9. Nothing really that unusual here at all...

since women are often put to death (remember Shrub giggling over Karla Faye) and capital trials for conspirators are common. This is simply a rare case where both are happening.

But, I do find it follows a revoltingly cynical pattern found in many death penalty states. Often the trials are separated, and the triggerman might get off for some reason-- a good lawyer, copping a plea, sympathetic jury... Then, the prosecutor, looking at re-election, realizes that the crime was heinous enough that the citizens want blood and goes after someone else to give the needle to. Even if one is only tangentially involved with the actual crime, there are enough conspiracy and other statutes that can get him the needle.

One of worst I remember was a Georgia case where a convenience store was robbed and the clerk killed, but they made deals with the two guys in the store who did the shooting and the getaway driver, who was never in the store, is sitting on Death Row now.

I don't have much sympathy for this one, but even DP proponents shouldn't wish her to have a capital trial.

[RC]

10. Most likely not good looking.

"...capital murder case against Maria Raquel Rivas, whom prosecutors and her lawyer describe as a prostitute."

People should be outraged that an accessory or co-conspirator would get a harsher sentence then the person that did the actual murder.

Maybe if the neocons didn't use Texas as a proving grounds for their self-centered, heavy handed agenda...

[LisaL]

18. Maybe prosecutor thinks she was a mastermind, not an

accessory. If someone ordered, or masterminded the murder, it's not uncommon for them to face harsher penalties than someone who actually did the deed.

[mom cat]

16. Girls are supposed to be nice...If not, then beat them into submission.

Boys are supposed to be violent, so we can go easy on them../
:sarcasm:

[smirkymonkey]

19. Am I the only one here who thinks this is INSANE?

I can't even believe that anyone is considering the "appropriateness" of putting a woman to death because she handed the knife to the murderer, while the acutal murderer is not even up for the death penalty.

Oh, wait, well I guess if she is a woman, hispanic, and most of all a prostitute, then she just deserves to die anyway. :sarcasm: