Illegal Alien convicted of capital murder in death of HPD officer

[natty bumppo 297]

Quintero convicted of capital murder in death of HPD officer

A steady stream of tears ran down the face of Rodney Johnson's widow Thursday afternoon as she sat almost motionless and listened to each juror say Juan Leonardo Quintero was guilty of killing her husband — a Houston police officer.

A police officer herself, Joslyn Johnson waited until the last juror said he was sure he wanted to convict Quintero of capital murder before breathing a sigh of relief.

"I'm happy," she told family and supporters as she made her way out of the courtroom Thursday evening.

Jurors deliberated more than five hours before convicting Quintero, who stood stonefaced as state District Judge Susan Campbell read the jury's verdict. Quintero had admitted to shooting the officer and had hoped the jury would find him not guilty by reason of insanity.

Quintero was in the country illegally when he shot Johnson in September 2006, enraging advocates of stricter immigration enforcement. A federal grand jury indicted the owner of a landscaping firm who hired Quintero, accusing him of harboring an illegal Mexican immigrant. Quintero had worked for Robert Lane Camp for at least 11 years, according to an affidavit.

Quintero's wife, who was also in the courtroom, declined to comment.

The jury is expected to begin hearing testimony Tuesday in the punishment stage of the trial. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Quintero, 34, or he could receive life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Two scenarios

During closing arguments Thursday, prosecutor Denise Bradley and fellow Assistant District Attorney John Jordan argued that Quintero killed Johnson because he feared spending 10 years in federal prison for re-entering the United States after being deported in 1999.

"Fear turned to anger, and he assassinated Rodney Johnson as (Johnson) was filling out paperwork," Jordan said.

But defense attorney Danalynn Recer, who maintained that Quintero was not guilty by reason of insanity, told the jury that Jordan's scenario did not make sense.

"There's no way Mr. Quintero-Perez logically, rationally decided to shoot officer Johnson," said Recer, founder and executive director of a Houston anti-death penalty organization, Gulf Region Advocacy Center. "It's a puzzle that we have to put together."

Two psychologists and a neuropsychologist said a childhood fall caused brain damage that caused Quintero to perceive Johnson as a threat and take unreasonable action.

Johnson pulled Quintero over for speeding on the afternoon of Sept. 21, 2006, and arrested him for not having a driver's license.

Investigators have said Johnson missed a gun tucked in Quintero's waistband during a pat-down search.

While Johnson was outside the patrol car, Quintero pulled the slide back to load a round in the chamber of his 9 mm semiautomatic pistol, Jordan said.

"He had time to chamber a round," Jordan said, pointing to Quintero and holding an unloaded gun.

Jordan pulled the slide back and released it three times, letting the sound echo through the courtroom.

"A police officer knows that sound."

He said Quintero thought about his options and lay in wait for Johnson to return.

Jordan went on to say Quintero shouted racial epithets at Johnson, who was black, as he died.

"How dare you?" Jordan said. "How dare you make it racial, as you take his life."

Defense attorney Recer said the prosecution's explanation didn't make sense.

"Officer Johnson was a hero. He was a family man," Recer said. "We have an explanation. It's just not the quick, easy, bumper-sticker explanation the prosecution wants you to believe."

Had been drinking

Recer said she worked to figure out what was wrong with Quintero and what he was thinking. "Because he sure wasn't thinking like any of us," she said.

She said Quintero's "bad brain" has an overactive threat-detection system, usually assuaged by drinking about 24 beers a day. But on that day, Quintero had about six beers.

Quintero acknowledged in a videotaped statement that, although his hands were cuffed behind his back, he shot Johnson while locked in the back seat of the patrol car.

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[Chica Yeyé 41]

Wow. that certainly sux, violent death always does . I hope the family finds peace.

[natty bumppo 297]

Wow. that certainly sux, violent death always does . I hope the family finds peace.

and if the illegal (repeat offender .. and a violent on too) had stayed away after being deported the first time ... the officer might still be alive today.

the punishment stage of the trial should be interesting ...

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

A federal grand jury indicted the owner of a landscaping firm who hired Quintero, accusing him of harboring an illegal Mexican immigrant.

another aider and abettor down the tubes

hope the convicted murderer gets fried.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Wow. that certainly sux, violent death always does . I hope the family finds peace.

and if the illegal (repeat offender .. and a violent on too) had stayed away after being deported the first time ... the officer might still be alive today.

the punishment stage of the trial should be interesting ...

Natty, if you'd rather focus on the punishment of the undocumented dude and how he should be fried, instead of caring about the officer's family's grief: more power to you. Says a lot about how you think.

I'd rather be compassionate of those left behind and wish them healing. But to each its own.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

'fried' was charles, not nb.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

'fried' was charles, not nb.

correct. and the convict should be put down like the mad dog he is.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

'fried' was charles, not nb.

correct. and the convict should be put down like the mad dog he is.

i didn't want nb to get credit for your work. wouldn't be fair

[Chica Yeyé 41]

'fried' was charles, not nb.

Oh, I didn't mean to reply to charles. I agree punishment for murder should be stiff (though I am completely against the DP); but I was focusing on the families.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

'fried' was charles, not nb.

correct. and the convict should be put down like the mad dog he is.

i didn't want nb to get credit for your work. wouldn't be fair

glad to see you are looking out for me.

'fried' was charles, not nb.

Oh, I didn't mean to reply to charles. I agree punishment for murder should be stiff (though I am completely against the DP); but I was focusing on the families.

would you prefer drawn and quartered?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

i think she means she wants the entire families fried

[Chica Yeyé 41]

i think she means she wants the entire families fried

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

i think she means she wants the entire families fried

I'm glad you can see the humor in that because I sure can't

[natty bumppo 297]

Wow. that certainly sux, violent death always does . I hope the family finds peace.

and if the illegal (repeat offender .. and a violent on too) had stayed away after being deported the first time ... the officer might still be alive today.

the punishment stage of the trial should be interesting ...

Natty, if you'd rather focus on the punishment of the undocumented dude and how he should be fried, instead of caring about the officer's family's grief: more power to you. Says a lot about how you think.

I'd rather be compassionate of those left behind and wish them healing. But to each its own.

it must be wonderful living in a tower and believing you can read anothers mind and thoughts ...

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

i think she means she wants the entire families fried

battered or unbattered?