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Thread: Hector Manuel Morales - Pennsylvania Death Row

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    Hector Manuel Morales - Pennsylvania Death Row





    August 4, 2010

    Death-penalty murder trial postponed to October

    The death-penalty murder trial of Hector Manuel Morales -- accused of executing a witness scheduled to testify against him in a felony drug-dealing case -- has been postponed.

    Morales, 27, of York, was supposed to go on trial next Monday, but last week Common Pleas Judge Gregory M. Snyder granted a continuance request from court-appointed defense attorney Joanne Floyd, according to court records. Morales remains in York County Prison without bail.

    Chief deputy prosecutor Karen Comery said the trial is now tentatively set for Oct. 4.

    Also last week, Floyd asked the judge to order DNA testing on items found in the car Morales allegedly rode in to get to the North Tremont Street home of 42-year-old Ronald Lee Simmons Jr., according to Comery.

    York City Police said Morales broke into Simmons' home about 1:15 a.m. July 16, 2009, and shot him six times in front of Simmons' wife.

    Victim helped cops: Simmons had worked with state police on an undercover drug case against Morales, and was supposed to testify against Morales the same day he was killed, according to police.

    Morales never showed up for that preliminary hearing before District Judge Alan Naylor on felony heroin-dealing charges, police said.

    Snyder granted the defense motion for DNA testing of a hat and 13 latex gloves found in the alleged getaway car, Comery said.

    "I called National Medical Services (Monday) to get a ballpark figure of what the DNA testing would cost," Comery said. "A full DNA profile (for all 13 gloves) would cost $26,000. The hat would be about $1,000. But that's an estimate -- it could be higher than that."

    Compromise: At a status conference on Morales' case Tuesday morning, Floyd agreed to have only a partial DNA profile done on the gloves, which is more cost-effective, Comery said.

    "So the price would come down (to about) $13,000, depending on how the lab groups the items when it tests them," the prosecutor said.

    That bill will end up being paid by York County taxpayers, she said, because it's been determined Morales cannot pay for his own defense.

    "We didn't feel that those items were probative," meaning of evidentiary value, Comery said, which is why the prosecution didn't have them tested.

    "We feel this is just a stall (tactic)," she said. "The trial was scheduled to start next week, and (Floyd) requested testing last week."

    Right to fair trial: But Floyd said she believes the items being tested are important.

    "We really don't know at this point what was used (in the slaying) and what wasn't," Floyd said. Testing could definitively determine that, she said.

    As for the cost, Floyd said every citizen has a constitutional right to a fair trial -- regardless of financial circumstances.

    "People think of the cost until it's their life on the line, or their son's," she said. "The Constitution doesn't say only rich people have that right."

    No deal: The District Attorney's Office has not offered a plea-agreement proposal to Morales and will not do so, according to Comery.

    That's because prosecutors want Morales sentenced to death and have a strong case against him, she said.

    "It's not OK to kill confidential informants. It's not OK to kill witnesses," Comery said. "And he killed Mr. Simmons in front of (the victim's) wife. She could have been seriously injured or killed."

    http://www.yorkdispatch.com/local/ci_15672793

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    Opening arguments Friday in York City death-penalty murder trial

    Opening statements were scheduled to begin Friday morning in the death-penalty murder trial of Hector Manuel Morales, accused of executing a confidential informant scheduled to testify against him in a felony drug-dealing case.

    As of Thursday afternoon, attorneys in the case finished selecting a 12-person jury, plus four alternates. For one alternate, this trial will be the fourth time she's served on a jury in York County - and the second time she's been a juror in a homicide case, she said.

    During jury selection, as each potential juror was led in for individual questioning, presiding Common Pleas Judge Gregory M. Snyder whispered a question to each of them.

    After the jury was seated, Snyder and defense attorney Joanne Floyd put on the record the fact that Snyder asked them whether they'd ever been confidential police informants. Snyder said all prospective jurors said they hadn't - and many gave him funny looks.

    Chief deputy prosecutor Karen Comery is trying the first-degree murder and burglary case; Floyd and fellow defense attorney Jeff Marshall are representing Morales.

    Morales, 28, of York, remains in York County Prison without bail.

    The background: York City Police said Morales broke into the North Tremont Street home of 42-year-old Ronald Lee Simmons about 1:15 a.m. July 16, 2009, and shot him six times in front of Simmons' wife.

    Simmons had worked with state police on an undercover drug case against Morales, and was supposed to testify against Morales the same day he was killed, according to police.

    Morales never showed up for that preliminary hearing before District Judge Alan Naylor on felony heroin-dealing charges, police said.

    No plea agreement has been offered to Morales, according to Comery, because prosecutors want Morales sentenced to death and have a strong case against him.

    "It's not OK to kill confidential informants. It's not OK to kill witnesses," she said.

    http://www.yorkdispatch.com/ci_17091186

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    Friend testifies in Pa. capital murder of witness

    A friend of a central Pennsylvania man accused of executing a witness against him in a drug case says he was with the defendant just before and and after the murder.

    Twenty-eight-year-old Herald Morales of York is charged with first-degree murder and burglary in the death of 42-year-old Ronald Simmons Jr., who was shot in his home in a struggle with an intruder. Prosecutors re seeking the death penalty.

    Melvin Miles testified Friday he thought they were going to buy drugs, but Morales brought out some gloves and a ski mask and "told me he was going to kill his witness." Miles said he hurried back to the car, heard gunshots, and Morales then returned and said "You see what happens to witnesses."

    The murder occurred only hours before Simmons was scheduled to testify at Morales' preliminary hearing. The trial resumes Tuesday.

    http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/news...f-witness.html

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    Jurors learn of fingerprint and gun evidence in death-penalty trial of Hector Morales

    Jurors in the death-penalty murder trial of Hector Manuel Morales learned Tuesday that Morales' partial handprint was found on the back door of his alleged victim's home, and that the .32-caliber handgun found by detectives is the weapon used to fatally shoot Ronald Lee Simmons Jr.

    Morales, 28, also known as "True," is charged with first-degree murder and burglary for the July 16, 2009, shooting death of Simmons, 42, known as "Country."

    Chief deputy prosecutor Karen Comery has told jurors that Morales broke down the back door of Simmons' home on North Tremont Street and executed Simmons just hours before the victim -- a police informant -- was scheduled to testify against Morales in a felony drug-dealing case.

    Among the prosecution witnesses testifying Tuesday were a ballistics expert and a fingerprint-analysis expert, both employed by state police.

    Lt. Kevin Deskiewicz testified he was able to positively match a "writer's print" from Simmons' back door to Morales. A writer's print is from the outside edge of the hand, he said.

    And Cpl. Mark Garrett testified six bullets and six shell casings recovered from the crime scene matched a .32-caliber handgun he was given to test.

    Gun buried: Jurors had already heard testimony indicating that after the slaying, a former friend of Morales' took the gun and hid it by burying it at Albemarle Park. That man, Melvin J. Miles, then led police to the gun, which he has referred to as his "insurance policy."

    Miles has also testified that Morales tried to have him and Richard J. Newson killed.

    Newson testified Tuesday as well.

    Both men have said they were friends with Morales and went with him to Simmons' home because they thought Morales was going there to buy marijuana.

    They said Morales went into the house alone, after which they heard gunshots and saw Morales running back to the car with blood on his shoes.

    Became informant: Also testifying Tuesday was state police Trooper Shawn Wolfe, who told jurors he and other members of the York County Drug Task Force arrested Simmons for heroin delivery in June 2009, and that Simmons agreed to help them set up other drug dealers in exchange for leniency in his own case.

    "He was attempting to reduce the ... sentence he would receive for that charge," the trooper said.

    The same night Simmons was arrested, he helped police bust Morales and another man who was working with Morales, Wolfe testified.

    But Wolfe said he was never able to charge Simmons.

    "He was found to be deceased before I had the opportunity to file charges against him," Wolfe said.

    Wrapping up: Comery said she has two or three more witnesses to call to the stand on Wednesday morning, after which she will rest her case.

    Common Pleas Judge Gregory M. Snyder advised defense attorney Joanne Floyd to be ready to present her case to the jury Wednesday afternoon.

    If Morales is convicted of first-degree murder, jurors will then have to decide whether to put him to death. If the case gets to the penalty phase, Morales will be represented by defense attorney Jeff Marshall.

    http://www.yorkdispatch.com/news/ci_17128125

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    Man found guilty in killing of drug-case witness in York

    York, PA - A York County jury today found Hector Morales guilty of first-degree murder and burglary for the 2009 death of Ronald "Country" Simmons Jr. in York.

    Police said Morales broke into Simmons' North Tremont Street home and murdered him because Simmons was set to testify in Morales' drug case later that day.

    Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, and arguments in the penalty phase of the trial will begin Friday.

    http://www.ydr.com/crime/ci_17149801

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    Family of convicted murderer tells jury family was close, loving

    Jurors deciding whether convicted murderer Hector Manuel Morales should be put to death for killing a police informant heard from three of his family members and the mothers of his two young daughters Friday morning.

    The same jury on Thursday afternoon convicted the 28-year-old York City man of first-degree murder and burglary for the July 16, 2009, shooting death of Ronald Lee Simmons Jr., 42, of York City.

    Morales broke into the victim's North Tremont Street home about 1 a.m. and shot him six times, jurors determined.

    Simmons, known as "Country," was a confidential informant who helped the York County Drug Task Force set up and bust Morales for dealing heroin. He was scheduled to testify against Morales at a preliminary hearing the same day he was murdered.

    Jurors must now decide whether to sentence Morales to death or to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

    Common Pleas Judge Gregory M. Snyder told jurors the prosecution's aggravating factors to support a sentence of death are that Simmons was a prosecution witness who was executed to keep him from testifying; that Morales murdered Simmons during the course of another felony (burglary); and that Morales knowingly created a grave risk of death for another person -- the victim's wife, Tina Simmons.

    The judge said the defense's mitigating factors against a death sentence include that Morales was "substantially impaired" at the time of the killing and therefore unable to "appreciate" his conduct; and evidence of his character.

    Chief deputy prosecutor Karen Comery presented no witnesses at Friday's penalty hearing, meaning she will rely on testimony from the trial to argue for death.

    Defense attorney Jeff Marshall called to the witness stand Morales' mother, his two sisters and the mothers of his 3- and 4-year-old daughters.

    All testified the Morales family is extremely close, and that Morales is a loving, involved father to his girls.

    His mother, Carmen Morales, and sisters, Liz and Yareliz Morales, also told the jury that Hector Morales was struck by a car and badly hurt when he was about 9 years old.

    All three testified he was different after the accident. He became nervous and suffered migraines, they said, and required treatment for years.

    It's unclear whether the defense plans to argue the crash caused head trauma that might continue to affect Hector Morales. Marshall declined comment about his strategy.

    The three Morales women also testified that Hector Morales was deeply affected by the 2000 slaying of his oldest brother, as was their entire family.

    "It was the first time I saw my dad and mom turn to drugs, because they couldn't take it ... we all did, except my (two youngest siblings)," Liz Morales said. "It kind of helped us deal with the pain."

    She said their father is currently in state prison on drug offenses.

    Hector Morales' hearing was to resume at 12:30 p.m. Friday.

    http://www.yorkdispatch.com/news/ci_17154139

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    Jury sentences York murderer to death

    York, PA - A York County jury has sentenced Hector Morales to death for the 2009 murder of Ronald Simmons Jr., a police informant who was set to testify against Morales in a hearing the day he was killed.

    Morales, who will become the 11th person on death row in a York County case, had been convicted of first-degree murder Thursday.

    Despite having hundreds of murderers on death row, Pennsylvania has only executed three -- two in 1995 and one in 1999 -- since a 10-year national moratorium on the death penalty ended in 1977.

    http://www.ydr.com/crime/ci_17160803


    Hector Morales sentenced to death for executing police informant

    A jury determined Hector Manuel Morales must die for executing Ronald Lee Simmons Jr., a police informant scheduled to testify against him in a felony heroin-dealing case.

    Jurors unanimously reached their decision about 5 p.m. Friday. Had even one of them refused to impose the death penalty, Morales would have been automatically sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

    "It sends a strong message not to kill commonwealth witnesses who are confidential informants," chief deputy prosecutor Karen Comery said. "And Ronald Simmons and his family got justice."

    Defense attorneys Jeff Marshall and Joanne Floyd said they will look at appeal options.

    "I'm just sad for (Morales') family, sad for the victim's family," Marshall said as he left the courtroom.

    "We are going to take every avenue of appeal open to Hector," Floyd said. "And we think we might have some issues that might grant him a new trial."

    As the jury forewoman announced they were imposing a death sentence, several of Morales' family members gasped and cried. The defendant dropped his head for a moment.

    Several of Simmons' family members also cried. His widow, Tina Simmons, appeared drained.

    Morales, 28, of York City, paid no attention as the jurors were being individually polled about their decision. Instead he turned to his mother and comforted her, telling her, "It's OK."

    He then turned his attention to two crying family members, trying to calm them. His hand shook nearly imperceptibly as he held it up to calm them.

    The conviction: On Thursday afternoon, the jury convicted Morales of first-degree murder and burglary for the July 16, 2009, shooting death of Simmons, 42, of York City.

    Common Pleas Judge Gregory M. Snyder scheduled formal sentencing for 9 a.m. March 1. Morales must still be sentenced on the burglary conviction, and Snyder said he will formally sentence Morales to death at that hearing.

    Morales broke into the victim's North Tremont Street home about 1 a.m. and shot him six times, jurors determined.

    Simmons, known as "Country," was a confidential informant who helped the York County Drug Task Force set up and bust Morales for dealing heroin. He was scheduled to testify against Morales at a preliminary hearing the same day he was murdered.

    Comery argued to jurors three aggravating factors to support a death sentence: that Simmons was a prosecution witness who was executed to keep him from testifying; that Morales murdered Simmons during the course of another felony (burglary); and that Morales knowingly created a grave risk of death for another person -- the victim's wife.

    Impaired? Defense attorney Jeff Marshall argued mitigating circumstances include that Morales was "substantially impaired" by alcohol and drugs at the time of the killing, and that while he may have been 26 years old at the time, his emotional age was younger.

    "We know the end of the story of the life of Hector Morales," Marshall said, then asked jurors "to look at the beginning of his life, and the middle of his life."

    He was referring to Friday morning's testimony from Morales' mother, his two sisters and the mothers of his 3- and 4-year-old daughters.

    All testified the Morales family is extremely close, and that Morales is a loving, involved father to his girls.

    Head injury: His mother, Carmen Morales, and sisters, Liz and Yareliz Morales, also told the jury that Hector Morales was struck by a car and badly hurt when he was about 9 years old. Marshall asked jurors to consider whether the killer's head trauma affected his actions.

    The three Morales women testified he was different after the accident. He became nervous and suffered migraines, they said, and required treatment for years.

    They also testified that Hector Morales was deeply affected by the 2000 homicide of his oldest brother, as was their entire family.

    "It was the first time I saw my dad and mom turn to drugs, because they couldn't take it. ... We all did, except my (two youngest siblings)," Liz Morales said. "It kind of helped us deal with the pain."

    She said their father is currently in state prison on drug offenses.

    "What kind of guidance was (Morales) given?" Marshall asked the jury. "We're asking you to understand Hector Morales."

    http://www.yorkdispatch.com/news/ci_17159554

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    Drug dealer who executed police informant heads to death row

    Hector Manuel Morales was sentenced to death -- plus an additional 10 to 20 years in prison -- on Tuesday morning for executing a police informant scheduled to testify against him in a felony heroin-dealing case.

    A jury on Jan. 21 condemned the 28-year-old York City man to death row after convicting him of first-degree murder and burglary for the July 16, 2009, shooting death of Ronald Lee Simmons Jr., 42, of York City.

    Tuesday's sentencing on the murder conviction was simply a formality. But Common Pleas Judge Gregory M. Snyder still needed to sentence Morales on the burglary conviction, and ordered a consecutive 10 to 20 years in prison, according to court records.

    The felony heroin-dealing charges against Morales were dropped Tuesday, records state. Simmons was the state's key witness in that case.

    Morales broke into the victim's North Tremont Street home about 1 a.m. July 16, 2009, and shot him six times, jurors determined.

    The background: Simmons, known as "Country," was a confidential informant who helped the York County Drug Task Force set up and bust Morales for dealing heroin. He was scheduled to testify against Morales at a preliminary hearing the same day he was murdered.

    "Hector Morales broke down the door ... (of) the home of Ronald Simmons, his wife Tina and their two children and shot (Ronald) to death in front of his wife," senior deputy prosecutor Karen Comery told jurors during trial.

    Jurors also learned Morales had to pass by the children's bedroom on the second floor to get to the third-floor bedroom where Simmons and his wife slept, though the widow said her children were staying with their grandmother that night.

    At trial, Morales took the stand and maintained his innocence. He suggested one his friends -- whom he described as the "muscle" in his drug operation -- had killed Simmons.

    During the trial's penalty phase, defense attorney Jeff Marshall argued to jurors that Morales was "substantially impaired" by alcohol and drugs at the time of the killing, and that he was emotionally immature.

    Joanne Floyd, the killer's other defense attorney, said they plan to appeal the conviction.

    http://www.yorkdispatch.com/news/ci_17510272

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    Last court action: Morales' direct appeal was argued before the state Supreme Court on May 9, 2012. No decision has been issued.

    http://www.ydr.com/crime/ci_23700241...h-warrants-has

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    Pennsylvania v. Morales

    Opinion Date: April 28, 2014

    Court: Pennsylvania Supreme Court

    A jury convicted Appellant of one count of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. The jury concluded, with respect to imposition of sentence, that the aggravating circumstances (committing murder to prevent testimony in a possible criminal proceeding regarding a felony and committing a killing in perpetration of a felony) outweighed the mitigating circumstance (character and record). Upon review, and finding no reversible error, the Supreme Court affirmed Appellant's conviction.
    An uninformed opponent is a dangerous opponent.

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