Tag Archive for '2007'

Teens to be sentenced for roles gang killing

- shopkins@herald-leader.com

Two teens who pleaded guilty in February to charges related to the murder of a fellow gang member in 2007 are scheduled to be sentenced Thursday morning.

Manny Erevia, 16, pleaded guilty to murder and Jose Cruz, 17, pleaded guilty to facilitation to commit murder. Both are expected to appear in Fayette Circuit Court for sentencing Thursday morning.

Luis Quiroz, 19, was found shot in a car on Trailwood Lane on Dec. 21, 2007.

Erevia admitted that he was the one who shot Quiroz. He said he called the victim, met him and told him they were going to commit a robbery, which was a lie. Instead they went to Trailwood Lane, where Erevia called several other men. Erevia got out of his vehicle, walked to the passenger side where Quiroz was sitting and fired a 9mm handgun at Quiroz’s head.

Erevia left in a vehicle with the other men.

Quiroz was taken to University of Kentucky Hospital where he died.

Erevia said Matthew Robey, 27, told him to kill Quiroz, and he had to comply with orders because Robey was at a higher rank within the Latin Kings. Erevia said Julio Varges-Torres, 18, supplied him with the gun.

Robey pleaded guilty last month to first-degree complicity to manslaughter and second-degree unlawful transaction with a minor. He said he ordered gang members to beat up Quiroz, not to kill him.

Vargas has pleaded guilty to criminal facilitation.

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Watkins Trial: Jury selection, opening statements

SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE UPDATES OF THE TRIAL: Jury selection began Tuesday in the case of Michaela Watkins, the 10-year-old girl who was beaten and killed.

The jury will decide whether Patrick and Joy Watkins, Michaela’s father and stepmother, are responsible for the girl’s death.

Michaela was found dead March 11, 2007. Investigators say the severely underweight girl was held in scalding water and beaten with an object similar to a 2-inch-by-4-inch piece of lumber.

Investigators say the severely underweight girl was held in scalding water and beaten with an object similar to a 2-inch-by-4-inch piece of lumber.

Herald-Leader reporter Ashlee Clark will be covering the trial, which could last up to two weeks. Ashlee will send updates throughout the trial, so check here for live coverage.


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