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As clock ticks toward another Trump presidency, federal death row prisoners appeal for clemency

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President-elect Donald Trump’s return to office is putting a spotlight on the U.S. penitentiary in Terre Haute, which houses federal death row. In Bloomington, a small community of death row spiritual advisors is struggling to support the prisoners to whom they minister.  Ross Martinie Eiler is a Mennonite, Episcopal lay minister and member of the Catholic Worker movement, which assists the homeless. And for the past three years, he’s served as a spiritual advisor for a man on federal death row.

Texas Prepares for Execution of Billy Crutsinger on Sept. 4, of Mark Anthony Soliz on Sept. 10

The Walls Unit, Huntsville, Texas
 Billy Jack Crutsinger is scheduled to be executed at 6 pm CDT, on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at the Walls Unit of the Huntsville State Penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas. 

64-year-old Billy is convicted of murdering 89-year-old Pearl “RD” Magouirk, and her 71-year-old daughter, Patricia “Pat” Syren, on April 6, 2003, in Fort Worth, Texas. 

Billy has been on death row for the last 15 years.

Billy was born in Texas. He did not graduate high school, dropping out after 11th grade. Billy had previously been arrested and served time for injuring another person. Prior to his arrest, Billy worked as a laborer.

On April 6, 2003, Billy Crutsinger obtained entrance into the home where Patricia Syren lived with her mother Pearl “RD” Magouirka. Crutsinger used the pretense of being there to perform some maintainance work to gain entrance. 

After entering the house, Crutsinger stabbed both women to death and stole several items from the home, including credit cards and Patricia’s Cadillac. The bodies of Patricia and Pearl were discovered 2 days later.

During the investigation, police discovered that Patricia’s credit card was being used at a bar in Galveston, Texas. With this information, police were able to identify Crutsinger as the suspect. Crutsinger was arrested for failing to identify himself and read his rights.

After being arrested, Crutsinger consented to a DNA sample and, eventually, confessed to the robbery and murder of Patricia and Pearl. 

Crutsinger also told police where additional evidence of the crime could be found.

Crutsinger was tried and sentenced to death in October of 2003.

Mark Anthony Soliz


Texas' death house
Mark Anthony Soliz is scheduled to be executed at 6 pm CDT, on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, at the Walls United of the Huntsville State Penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas. 

37-year-old Mark is convicted of murdering 61-year-old Nancy Weatherly, on June 29, 2010, in Godley, Texas. 

Mark has spent the last 7 years on death row in Texas.

Mark was born in Texas. During his trial, his attorneys included evidence that his mother drank, sniffed paint, and did drugs through her pregnancy. 

Mark was continually neglected after he was born. During his trial, it came out that Mark had been diagnosed with partial fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. He did not graduate from school, dropping out after the 8th grade. Prior to his arrest, Mark worked as a cabinet maker.

Mark Soliz and his friend, Jose Ramos began a crime spree in Fort Worth, Texas on June 22, 2010. First the robbed a store, making off with several differ firearms and other items. The duo sold some of the weapons, but “had plans for” the weapons with which they would not sell.

On June 24, 2010, Soliz approached Justin Morris, a stranger, and demanded his wallet. Justine gave Soliz his wallet and Soliz was later captured on a security camera attempting to use Justin’s debit card. 

Later that same day, Soliz approached Sammy Abu-Lughod, pointed a gun at him and demanded Sammy’s wallet, cell phone, and car. Soliz ordered Sammy to walk away, with which Sammy complied, and Soliz drove away in Sammy’s vehicle.

During the early morning hours of June 28, 2010, Soliz and Ramos robbed four people leaving a bar, demanding their money and wallets. The four people complied.

The following day, the crimes escalated. Around 3:30 am, Ramos drove Sammy’s stolen car, while Soliz fired a gun into a house they were driving by. They believed that a rival gang member was in the house. 

Around 5:00 am, Soliz and Ramos approached Enrique Samaniego, who was approaching his vehicle as he was getting ready to leave for work. Enrique was shot five times in the stomach. He sustained life-threatening injuries, but survived.

A short time later, Soliz and Ramos approached Ruben Martinez, a delivery truck driver who was walking back to his truck after completing a delivery. Soliz pointed a gun at Ruben and demanded his wallet, which only contained $10. Upset at the lack of money, Soliz shot Ruben in the neck. Ruben eventually died from his injuries.

A short time later, Soliz approached a man exiting his vehicle at a store. When the man saw the gun, wrapped in a bandanna, he locked his car and ran into the store. The man heard gunshots behind him as he ran.

Soliz and Ramos then left Fort Worth, driving to Benbrook, Texas and robbed 2 homes there. They then drove to the home of Nancy Weatherly in Godley, Texas. The knocked on her door and, when she opened it, pushed her aside and robbed her home. Before leaving, they shot and killed her.

Soliz and Ramos were arrested later in the day on June 29, 2010, along with others who were with them. Upon being arrested and questioned by police, Ramos confessed to the crimes, including the not-yet-known murder of Nancy. Soliz also eventually confessed to Nancy’s murder, including to being the person who pulled the trigger.

Soliz had also told at least one of his friends about the murder. That friend testified at his trial. Soliz was convicted and sentenced to death March 2012.

Jose Ramos received a plea deal and was given a life sentence, without the possibility of parole, in exchange for pleading guilty to Nancy’s murder. Prosecutors had also planned to seek a death sentence again Ramos for his part in the murder.

Source: theforgivenessfoundation.org, Staff, August 26, 2019


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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde

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