Convicted killer Raul Cortez was sentenced to death on Monday, February 2, 2009, for the murders of four people during a robbery in McKinney, Texas. On January 29, 2009, the 28-year-old Cortez was found guilty of capital murder in the 2004 shooting deaths. Cortez's case will be automatically appealed, under Texas state law.Dallas Morning News: Man sentenced to death for McKinney murders McKinney Courier-Gazette: Jury sentences Raul Cortez to death
Botched Robbery Leads to Murder
According to authorities, Raul Cortez, his brother Javier Cortez and Eddie Ray Williams broke in to Rosa Barbosa's home with the intent of stealing keys to Barbosa's check cashing business. Barbosa, her nephew Mark Barbosa and two friends walked in during the robbery. All four were shot and killed. Cortez and Williams were both charged with capital murder in the case; Javier Cortez was given a four-year federal sentence on gun charges.WTOP.com: Man gets death sentence for killing 4 near Dallas (February 3, 2009)
Quotes
"Of course you don't value life because you don't value your own. I hope you rot in hell because I know I'll rot in there with you because I know the only way I can get to heaven is I'll have to give you forgiveness."—Carol Mendez-Kindle, mother of victim Mark BarbosaMcKinney Courier-Gazette: Jury sentences Raul Cortez to death
"This is the face of the child you took from me. The smirk on your face, even now, tells me you don't think you took his life. I hear him cry my name every night."—Nancy Self, mother of victim Matthew SelfDallas Morning News: Man sentenced to death for McKinney murders
"Please give him a chance to live. He can change if you give him the opportunity. God can change him."—Elsa Cortez, mother of Raul CortezDallas Morning News: Man sentenced to death for McKinney murders
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Raul Cortez was convicted on January 29, 2009, of murdering four people on March 12, 2004Dallas Morning News: Man sentenced to death for McKinney murders
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The four victims were killed during a "botched" robbery at a home in McKinney, Texas
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Rosa Barbosa, her nephew Mark Barbosa and their friends Matthew Self and Austin York were all shot to death
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Cortez was sentenced to death on February 2, 2009
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Jurors deliberated for nearly seven hours before recommending a death sentenceDallas Morning News: Man sentenced to death for McKinney murders
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His case will automatically be appealed
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Cortez's defense attorney asked the jury to consider life in prison for his client
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A second suspect, Eddie Ray Williams, was also charged with capital murder in the caseMcKinney Courier-Gazette: Jury sentences Raul Cortez to death
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Williams' trial was pending
