Gang Turns Dating Sites into Hunting Grounds for East Coast Robbery Spree and Murders

Today's conservative headline is brought to you by the Republican Ballot Publication. We're dedicated in providing our readers with the most relevant conservative news. [Gang Exploits Dating Sites for Robbery Spree Across East Coast, Leaving Four Dead] [Gang Exploits Dating Sites for Robbery Spree Across East Coast, Leaving Four Dead]( Supreme Court Halts Execution of Texas Man Seeking DNA Testing to Prove Innocence WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court intervened on Tuesday to halt the scheduled execution of a Texas inmate, Ruben Gutierrez, who has long maintained his innocence in a 1998 murder case and has been seeking DNA testing to support his claim. The high court's decision came shortly before Gutierrez was due to be executed, marking a critical moment in a legal battle that has spanned over two decades. Gutierrez, now 45, was sentenced to death for the killing of 85-year-old Escolastica Harrison in her Texas mobile home, where she reportedly kept roughly $600,000. Prosecutors argued that Gutierrez befriended Harrison because he knew about the money. However, Gutierrez has consistently argued that he was not involved in the murder. This is not the first time the Supreme Court has issued a stay in this case. In 2020, Gutierrez's execution was delayed after he challenged a Texas policy that prevented a spiritual advisor from accompanying him in the execution chamber. The policy has since been changed. The case traces back to September 1998 when Harrison was brutally beaten to death. Gutierrez was arrested along with two others; one is serving a life sentence, while the other remains at large. According to defense filings, Gutierrez's conviction was under Texas's law of parties, which holds individuals legally accountable for the actions of others if they engage in a criminal venture. In a recent statement, Gutierrez's attorney, Shawn Nolan, expressed relief at the Supreme Court's decision to stay the execution, emphasizing the ongoing struggle to obtain DNA testing. Nolan stated, "Our hope is that we can now prove Mr. Gutierrez's innocence and prevent his wrongful execution." Legal efforts by Gutierrez's defense team have focused heavily on requesting DNA testing of crime scene evidence, which includes nail scrapings from Harrison and a hair found wrapped around her finger. Despite numerous requests, these tests have not been carried out, partly due to stipulations in Texas law which limit post-conviction DNA testing. The response from Texas authorities to these requests has been firm. According to legal documents submitted by both the Texas Attorney General's office and the Cameron County District Attorney, the requests for DNA testing were denied on the ground that the state law does not permit testing merely to delay carrying out the death sentence. Furthermore, they argued that even if the testing were allowed, Gutierrez would not qualify under the law's provisions. The emotional impact of the Supreme arts decision was palpable. According to a Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesperson, Gutierrez was not expecting the decision and showed visible emotional relief when he learned of the stay, indicating the intense personal stake he has in the fight for his innocence. The case has garnered attention not only for its dramatic twists but also for raising significant questions about the use of the law of parties and the challenges of obtaining DNA testing to re-examine evidence in death penalty cases. As the Supreme Court deliberates on whether to take up Gutierrez's appeal, the broader implications regarding the intersection of justice, forensic technology, and the death penalty continue to resonate. This case may set a precedent on how far the courts are willing to go to ensure that all available evidence is considered before the most irreversible of sentences is carried out. [Visit Republican Ballot News]( Republican Ballot News, 70 South West Century Drive, Suite 100 PMB 5102, Bend, OR 97702 Intended for: {EMAIL} [View Online]( | [Terms of Use]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Unsubscribe from All](