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Thread: Omarrian Jones Sentenced to LWOP in 2009 IL Slaying of Fil-Am Couple

  1. #1
    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
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    Omarrian Jones Sentenced to LWOP in 2009 IL Slaying of Fil-Am Couple

    Death penalty sought for killer of Fil-Am couple

    Illinois state prosecutors have served “notice of intent to seek death penalty" against the suspected killer of a Filipino-American couple in Rockford, Illinois last year.

    Winnebago County State Attorney Joseph Bruscato’s “notice of intent to seek death penalty" will be up for oral argument on September 22.

    Omarrian Jones, 25, is suspected of killing Reynato Cardino, 77, and his wife, Leticia, 75, in their home in Pleasant View, Rockford on July 8, 2009.

    According to Bruscato's notice, one aggravating circumstance that will make Jones eligible for the death penalty is that the murder was committed “in the course of another felony."

    The slain couple “received physical injuries inflicted by the defendant substantially contemporaneously with physical injuries caused by one or more persons for whose conduct the defendant is legally accountable."

    The notice added that the “murder was committed in a cold, calculated and premeditated manner pursuant to a preconceived plan, scheme or design to take a human life by unlawful means, and the conduct of the defendant created a reasonable expectation that the death of a human being would result therefrom."

    Jones pleaded not guilty

    During the arraignment on April 12, Jones pleaded not guilty. However, trial was delayed as there was a question about Jones’ fitness to stand trial. Judge White later found Jones “fit to stand trial."

    Jones was charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the “blunt instrument" killing of the elderly Cardino couple.

    If convicted of murders, Jones could be sentenced to natural life or death penalty.

    Deputy State Attorney Hite Ross explained that the death penalty is still in effect in the state although former Illinois Governor George Ryan pardoned all the prisoners in the Illinois Death Row and there is a moratorium in carrying out death sentence.

    It was reported that Jones was identified after DNA samples of the skin taken from the fingernails of the victims’ eldest son, Reyle Cardino, 51, was traced to Jones.

    Traces of Jones' DNA were found on the fingernails of Reyle's, who tried to fight Jones as the suspect was killing his parents. Jones reportedly also threatened Reyle, “you are next."

    Reyle, who happened to be visiting his parents on the night of the murder, sustained wounds on his face.

    The victim, Reynaldo Cardino, a retired mechanical engineer, worked part-time assembling bikes at Wal-Mart. His wife Letie, a retired licensed architect, worked as building inspector for the city of Rockford.

    Reynaldo and Leticia are natives of Baliangao, and Sapang Dalaga, Misamis Occidental in the Philippines.

    http://www.gmanews.tv/story/199941/death-penalty-sought-for-killer-of-fil-am-couple

  2. #2
    Senior Member CnCP Legend JLR's Avatar
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    A convicted Rockford killer tries 3 times to get a new trial. 3 motions. 3 dismissals. That was part of a long day in court for a victims' family waiting to hear what kind of punishment Omarrian Jones would get.

    When Judge White passed down the punishment, natural life in prison without parole, you could hear people sniffling and crying in the courtroom.

    It took about 8 hours to get through the motions Jones filled today.

    In one, he claimed his lawyer was incompetent, another asked for DNA evidence to be tested, the third, a new trial.

    Cardino family members were in court through all this and say the sentence is fair.

    "We're not just ghosts in the past or something that went by his way."

    That's Reyle Cardino explaining what it means to come face to face with Omarrian Jones - the man convicted of killing his parents and trying to kill him in July of 2009.

    Jones apologized to the family for what happened, but never directly admitted to killing Reynato and Leticia Cardino.

    "He is the same person that attacked me and is the court today and was sentenced today."

    Joy Morgan, Reyle's sister, believes today is one step closer to closure for her family and moving on with their lives.

    "For a while there during the trial it seemed like everyday we were dressing up to come here for a funeral. I feel like now, we can mourn properly."

    Reyle and Joy's brother Rey traveled from Dallas to be in court for sentencing. Showing the power of togetherness they believe brought the family through this trial.

    "Everybody needed to be together and that's what my mom would have wanted us to do," said Reyle Cardino.

    Omarrian Jones spoke out in court saying there's not a day that goes by he doesn't think about what happened.

    Judge White had to sentence Jones for the other crimes he committed: 30 years for home invasion and another 30 for attempted murder of Reyle Cardino. Those have to be served consecutively along with a concurrent 15 year burglary charge.

    http://www.wrex.com/story/18861395/o...-family-reacts

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