Jury hears testimony of Ortiz's interrogation in capital murder case
By Maria Salas
Laredo Morning Times
Webb County Sheriff's Office Captain Federico Calderon’s testimony continued on the third day of Juan David Ortiz’s capital murder trial in Bexar County.
Calderon told the jury that after Ortiz was transported to the Webb County Sheriff’s Office substation on U.S. Highway 59, he was placed in an interrogation room.
The interview began at 3:21 the morning of Sept. 15, 2018 and lasted until noon that same day, Calderon testified. Calderon told the jury that Ortiz was given breaks, water and was fed while being at the substation.
At the start of the interrogation, Calderon testified that Ortiz was advised of his Miranda Rights and the right to terminate the interview whenever he wanted.
“Mr. Ortiz did not articulate that he wanted an attorney present,” Calderon said. “He did not articulate that he did not want to speak with us.”
Prosecutors questioned Calderon about Ortiz’s interrogation video where he talked to investigators about his life, military service and answered questions about Erika Peña and the women found dead in September 2018.
Calderon said that Ortiz initially denied knowing Peña and stated that the only Erika he knew was from his high school in Brownsville. He talks about his life in San Antonio and how good he had it with his wife and children.
“I came down here for a promotion, you guys already know all this,” Ortiz said in the video. “I work in the border intelligence center in the Laredo Sector Operation Center.”
Ortiz goes on to tell investigators that after eight years active duty in the U.S. Navy and how he was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and put on several different medications for anxiety, depression, irritability and anger, to help sleep and prevent nightmares, migraine headaches and high blood pressure.
“The main reason I even began going to the VA is because in February 2018, my alcohol was out of control. I was drinking (too much),” Ortiz is heard telling investigators in the interview video.
After numerous doctors’ appointments and different medications, Ortiz said that he felt his mental health decline.
“I concealed it very, very well,” Ortiz said to investigators. “I had a great marriage. As far as work, I was very, very good at work. I was the best.”
Ortiz’s interrogation was burned onto 12 CDs and prosecutors played the first two during Calderon’s testimony.
Ortiz’s trial was moved to San Antonio from Webb County because of extensive media coverage in Laredo. Last month, Alaniz said his office will not seek the death penalty against Ortiz citing the victim’s families wishes.
Now 39, Ortiz faces life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted.
Testimony continued Wednesday after press time in the Bexar County Court at Law No. 5 by state District Judge Oscar J. Hale, Jr., who presides over the 406th District Court in Webb County.
https://www.lmtonline.com/local/arti...n-17622194.php
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