Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Their story has been oft-repeated, in the retelling burnished to a handful of details: the fateful choice of a route home, the abduction from the railroad tracks, the decision of one to turn back when she heard her friend scream, the clothes ripped from their bodies, the multiple and repeated assaults, the inexplicable decision that they must die in a manner equally brutal. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. [7][18], As Ertman was murdered, Pea was forced to watch her friend's death as other gang members held a ligature around her neck. Failed to delete memorial. This browser does not support getting your location. We have set your language to New development was everywhere, spurred by a mayor and city council devoted to the cause of building. By coincidence, a handful of teenagers who had just completed a boozy, fight-filled gang initiation ritual noticed their shadowy figures. Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena, ages 14 and 15, were walking home from a party, taking a shortcut to make it home by their 11 p.m. curfew on June 24, 1993. Their bodies were found four days later. No one came to witness on Cantu's behalf when he received his lethal injection. /Filter /FlateDecode of Criminal Justice), How Alaska became one of fentanyl's deadliest frontiers, Pennsylvania police seized gloves, flashlight from home of Idaho murders suspect, Where things stand in the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial. Jennifer Latson of the Houston Chronicle said that the deaths of the girls "shook" the Oak Forest neighborhood of Houston "to its foundation. 73 0 obj Please try again later. "This is. WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to consider whether one of the six killers of Houston teenagers Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pea should escape execution because he was . 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story", Garland to face Congress amid ongoing special counsel investigations, FBI chief says agency feels pandemic likely started with Chinese lab leak. Year should not be greater than current year. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? All those believed responsible were ultimately arrested. Courtesy photos Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Peter Anthony Cantu, shown at his 1994 trial, was the one who called . One of the gang members grabbed Pena. Two of Cantu's companions in the gang they dubbed the Black and White preceded him to the death chamber. Cantu, Jos Medelln, and Prez then strangled Pea to death with shoelaces. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Seventeen years after the crimes, Peter Anthony Cantu was executed on August 17, 2010. They are both buried at Woodlawn Garden of Memories Cemetery. Jester Park. /O 74 Peter Anthony Cantu, Jos Ernesto Medelln, Derrick Sean O'Brien, Efrain Prez, and Raul Omar Villarreal received death sentences. All Rights Reserved. After the gang left, Christina Cantu convinced Joe Cantu to report the crime to the police. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Elizabeth Pena and Jennifer Ertman were friends who went to Waltrip High School in Houston. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. /MediaBox [ 0 0 612 791 ] The email does not appear to be a valid email address. "[43], Randy Ertman, the father of Jennifer Ertman, died of lung cancer on August 18, 2014. Medellin was among six gang members who were sentenced. /PageLayout /SinglePage Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Christina Cantu questioned why Villarreal was bleeding and Prez had a bloody shirt. Three officers shot, standoff follows in Kansas City, Mo., police say, Vanessa Bryant, family settles claims over Kobe crash site photos for $28.5M, Peter Anthony Cantu (AP Photo/Texas Dept. Medellin's brother, Jose, was put to death in 2008. O'Brien was pronounced dead at 6:19 p.m., seven minutes after the lethal drugs began. If it could show up at such a nondescript moment - teenagers unknown to each other passing in the night - perhaps no one's safety was more than an illusion. . the U.S. Supreme Court barred execution of people who were under 18 The architect of their deaths will pay with his own life Tuesday evening. He had fought or bullied other students, assaulted a teacher, threatened another youth with a knife in a parking lot after deliberately provoking a confrontation. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- T.C. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. First published on August 17, 2010 / 5:39 PM. In June 1993, Houston was busy reveling in the boom after the bust. "Anytime girls came down the street, they'd come out and hoot and holler at them and make vulgar remarks to them," a former neighbor said the day after his arrest. The 61-year-old died Monday, said Andy Kahan, a Houston crime victims advocate. Cantu was a good worker who was courteous with customers, the boss said, stunned that the "yes, sir" guy he knew changed so dramatically when the workday ended. Jos Ernesto Medelln appealed his execution, saying that he had informed City of Houston and Harris County police officers that he was a Mexican citizen, and that he had been unable to confer with Mexican consular officials. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. She was thrown to the ground by gang members Peter Cantu and Derrick Sean O'Brien. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. murders of jennifer ertman and elizabeth pena jose medellin murders of jennifer ertman and elizabeth pena jose medellin Posted at 01:41h in to avoid accidents, a defensive driver should by You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. This is a carousel with slides. Try again later. Follow Deborah Wrigley on Facebook and Twitter. Jester Park in northwest Houston. Failed to delete memorial. They stumbled on to a gang initiation and they were tortured, sexually assaulted and killed. The families of both Ertman and Pea strongly favored the execution(s). He made a promise to their families. . endstream Cantu, the first of five to be tried, convicted and condemned, will be the last to be executed. Houston was stunned when Cantu and his gang were arrested. >> I thought you might like to see a memorial for Jennifer Lee Ertman I found on Findagrave.com. Both completed the act by strangling the girl with a shoelace in Pea's presence. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Both girls were sexually assaulted by all but one of the gang members, 14-year-old Venancio "Yuni" Medelln, on a minimum of four occasions. The deaths of teenagers Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena shocked the country, both for the viciousness of the crime and the apparent lack of remorse among some of the perpetrators. [7] Prez will become eligible for parole on October 10, 2029, while Villarreal will become eligible for parole on September 20, 2029.[27][28]. Where [are] you going?" GREAT NEWS! MORE ON CRIMESIDERAugust 17, 2010 - Peter Anthony Cantu Execution: Mastermind of Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena Murders to Die, First published on August 18, 2010 / 12:40 PM. Realizing that the girls would be capable of identifying them, Peter Cantu, the leader of the gang, ordered the members to kill the girls. [15] Both repeatedly struggled against their abusers, with Pea on at least one occasion attempting to fight off her attackers by repeatedly kicking her legs, and Ertman biting her attackers. "I told him to stick it. /H [ 931 256 ] 0000009638 00000 n Governor Rick Perry argued that Texas is not bound to World Court rulings. Jennifer Ertman, 14, and Elizabeth Pena, 16, were raped, tortured and murdered by gang members while walking near TC Jester on June 24, 1993. . Cantu's brother, Joe, testified about what inspired him to call police. The attackers shouted obscenities at TV cameras when they were arrested and reportedly bragged of their crimes once in their jail cells. a. Their bodies were found four days after they were murdered. Corey Mitchell's book "Pure Murder," which details the story of the killings, was released in 2008 and became a best seller. The graves of Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena are about 200 yards apart in Woodlawn Garden of Memories Cemetery. Cantu, Medelln, Prez, and Villarreal then met at Cantu's residence, where he lived with his brother, Joe Cantu, and sister-in-law, Christina Cantu. On Friday, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles refused his clemency petition. Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena Murder. When the Supreme Court of the United States banned the executions of people who committed crimes while they were below 18 years of age, the sentences of Prez and Villarreal were automatically commuted to life in prison. Please try again later. [7] Before the murders, Houston officials had stated that gangs were not a significant issue in the city. At his sentencing for the Ertman-Pena case, the judge asked Cantu if there was any reason the sentence shouldn't be imposed. when they committed their crimes. Randy Ertman's fiery red hair is gray, and now Cantu is dead. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Venancio Medellin was part of a group that ambushed Jennifer Ertman, 14, and Elizabeth Pena, 16, as they were walking near TC Jester on June 24, 1993. . Venancio received a 40-year prison sentence. Elizabeth Pena and Jennifer Ertman were friends who went to Waltrip High School in Houston. [5], Jos Medelln was executed at 9:57p.m. on August 5, 2008, after his last-minute appeals were rejected by the Supreme Court. murders of jennifer ertman and elizabeth pena jose medellin. HUNTSVILLE, Texas -- Randy Ertman . This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Four days later, when searchers finally found Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena, their bodies were unrecognizable. He told Venancio Medelln to stay behind because he was too little to watch. The other gang members forced the girls into a wooded area. Jennifer Ertman also had three fractured ribs. He was the youngest of six members of the so-called Black and White gang when they brutally raped and killed Jennifer Ertman, 14, and Elizabeth Pena, 16, in June 1993. The lethal injection was performed at 6:09 pm, and at 6:17 pm, Cantu was officially pronounced dead. RELATED:Fighting for victims: Randy Ertman's fight continues after his passing. Jos Medelln got a ring with an "E", so he could give it to his girlfriend, Esther. Nine minutes later, he was dead. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Year should not be greater than current year. The murder of the two girls made headlines in Texas newspapers due to the nature of the crime and the new law resulting from the murder that allows families of the victims to view the execution of the murderers. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Their photos are familiar now, attached to countless news reports since then: the same two pictures, teen girls who despite the makeup were girls still. They were forced to perform oral sex. Put a needle in her arm and just go to sleep. Neither attempted to prevent the assaults or to inform the police. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. Venancio Medellin was part of a group that ambushed Jennifer Ertman, 14, and Elizabeth Pena, 16, as they were walking near TC Jester on June 24, 1993. The murder of Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pea, two teenage girls from Houston, Texas, occurred on June 24, 1993.The murder of the two girls made headlines in Texas newspapers due to the nature of the crime and the new law resulting from the murder that allows families of the victims to view the execution of the murderers.. "[20], Cantu dropped off Jos Medelln, Prez, and Villarreal at his residence, where he lived with his brother, Joe Cantu, and sister-in-law, Christina Cantu. Cantu, O'Brien, and Jos Medelln were later implicated in the January 4, 1993, murder of 27-year-old Patricia Lopez. trailer The killers didn't crumple or cry when recounting the bestiality of their acts to investigators. The death sentences of Efrain Prez and Raul Villarreal were commuted to life imprisonment in 2005, following, List of people executed in Texas, 20002009, List of people executed in Texas, 20102019, List of people executed in the United States in 2006, List of people executed in the United States in 2010, "Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena Murdered While Walking Near Houston Park 25 Years Ago", "Peter Anthony Cantu Execution: Mastermind of Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena Murders to Die Tonight", "Medellin set to die Tuesday for Ertman-Pea killings", "Medellin executed for rape, murder of Houston teens", Murder of Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pea, "Bodies of Two Girls Discovered: Grim Find Ends Weekend Search in Northwest Houston", "Father of Murdered Girl Questions Bush's Support to Halt Killer's Execution", "Media Advisory: Jose Medellin Scheduled For Execution", "San Antonio turned from bully to savage killer", "Jos Ernesto Medelln v. Texas (Per Curiam)", "Texas Executes Mexican Despite Objections", "Dad confronts parole board to keep daughter's murderer in prison", "Ex-gang leader executed for '93 deaths of 2 Houston girls", "Last Statement Derrick O'Brien" at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice profile, "Father of Brutally Murdered Teen, victims' Rights Advocate Randy Ertman Dead at 61", Victim's "Advocate Won't be Witnessing Execution", "Parole Denied for Gang Member Convicted in 1993 Murders of Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena", In Memory of Elizabeth Pea and Jennifer Ertman - 1993, Details of Cantu's 1997 appeal against his convictions, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murders_of_Jennifer_Ertman_and_Elizabeth_Pea&oldid=1137725274. Both had observed Pea and Ertmans' abduction, initial assault, and screams for help. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. endobj Try again. There is a problem with your email/password. Venancio Medellin was 14 at the time of the killings and is serving a 40-year prison term. O'Brien was videotaped smiling at the scene of the crime. We have set your language to / CBS News. The parents of the murder victims successfully advocated for the State of Texas allowing relatives of victims to have permission to witness executions. [30][41][42], The parents of the murder victims successfully advocated for the State of Texas to allow victims' relatives to have permission to witness executions. One member, Jos Medelln, attempted to grope and pinch one of Pea's breasts. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This account has been disabled. Venancio Medelln, the brother of Jos Medelln, testified against 4 of the gang members. As a general rule, immediate family members, grandparents, and other close family members can request and will be transferred management of the memorial. xc```b``^dL`c@ >f(T0Fk^350QxA]gY=kfNy-3&00xLd$OexQ8 9L-K~p800.m``:Q *R They were both abducted and murdered. Of the six people convicted for the heinous crimes, five were sentenced to death. GREAT NEWS! /S 280 He then apologized to his own family before he was executed by lethal injection. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Learn more about managing a memorial . Six gang members were sentenced. In response, Cantu repeatedly kicked the girl in her face and body, dislodging three of her teeth and fracturing several ribs. For Jennifer Lee Ertman I found on Findagrave.com her face and body dislodging! Inform the police murders of Jennifer Ertman were friends who went to Waltrip High School in elizabeth pena and jennifer ertman bodies the. 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