Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: Gerald Dean Cruz - Califonia Death Row

  1. #1
    Guest
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    5,534

    Gerald Dean Cruz - Califonia Death Row


    Gerald Dean Cruz


    Summary of Offense:

    Sentenced to death on October 26, 1992 in Alameda County for four murders committed in the small town of Salida. On May 20, 1990, Richard Vieira was living at a place called “The Camp,” which was a small complex of houses and trailers. Vieira lived in a trailer with David Beck. Jason LaMarsh lived in another trailer behind Vieira’s. Both trailers were behind Gerald Cruz’s house. Cruz was the leader of this group. Tensions developed in The Camp because Franklin Raper, a man in his 50s who lived there, sold drugs from his trailer. Raper also got into a dispute with a neighbor over an electricity bill. Cruz liked the neighbor and was angry at Raper. Tensions increased when Raper got into a fight with LaMarsh over charges that Raper had stolen one of LaMarsh’s guns. Raper moved away from the camp and into a house in Salida. Cruz met with Vieira, LaMarsh, Beck, Ron Willey, and Michelle Evans. Cruz made a plan for the group to go to Raper’s house and “do them all and leave no witnesses.” Cruz also threatened those who did not do their job would join the victims.

    The group went to Raper’s house armed with baseball bats, a police-style baton, and knives. Except for Cruz, the men were dressed in camouflage and masks. Evans and LaMarsh entered the house and led whoever was inside to the living room. Evans let Vieira and Beck into the house through a window and returned to the car. Cruz and Willey approached the house, and people inside started screaming and running. Four people were killed that night. Richard Ritchey ran from the house and was beaten by Cruz and Willey with a police-style baton until Cruz cut his throat with a knife. Roger Colwell’s throat was slit inside the house. Emmie Paris died when Vieira slit her throat after beating her with a baseball bat. Raper died of skull fractures after being beaten. One woman escaped, and a neighbor saw Ritchey’s death at the hands of Cruz.

    Beck and Vieira were also sentenced to death.

    For more on Beck, see: http://www.cncpunishment.com/forums/...rnia-Death-Row

    For more on Vieira, see: http://www.cncpunishment.com/forums/...ghlight=vieira

  2. #2
    Administrator Moh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    13,014
    Cruz's case has been fully briefed on direct appeal before the California Supreme Court since August 7, 2012.

    https://appellatecases.courtinfo.ca....5TQCAgCg%3D%3D

  3. #3
    Administrator Moh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    13,014
    Cruz's habeas case has been fully briefed before the California Supreme Court since July 15, 2015.

    https://appellatecases.courtinfo.ca....xTQCAgCg%3D%3D

    On September 4, 2019, oral argument will be heard in Cruz's direct appeal before the California Supreme Court.

    https://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/...rs/SSEP319.PDF

  4. #4
    Administrator Moh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    13,014
    In today's opinions, the California Supreme Court AFFIRMED Cruz's convictions and death sentences on direct appeal.

    https://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions/d...ts/S029843.PDF

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •