August 24, 2007

Haynes and Boone Pro Bono Team Wins Judge's Call For New Trial in Littlefield, TX Murder Case

A Littlefield, TX, judge has recommended new trials for two indigent Mexican nationals who have spent the last 11 years in prison on life sentences for the Aug. 6, 1996 killing of a Panhandle convenience store clerk.

September 8, 2005

State Rep. Roberto Alonzo of Dallas commends the efforts of the Haynes and Boone defense team and Centro Gamez in the proceedings to free Alberto and Jesus.

September 6, 2005

The habeas corpus evidentiary hearing in Lubbock has been suspended pending another judicial proceeding to be held in Littlefield on Friday, September 9. On that day, Littlefield District Court Judge Felix Klein will hear arguments concerning Lamb County District Attorney Mark Yarbrough's future involvement. Mr. Yarbrough is still technically in charge of all criminal proceedings against defendant Jesus Ramirez. While testifying in the Lubbock evidentiary hearing that began Aug. 29, Mr. Yarbrough refused to submit to certain questions, citing his continued involvement in the Ramirez case. Defense attorneys are asking Judge Klein to force Mr. Yarbrough off the Ramirez case so that he can continue answering questions when the hearing reconvenes.

August 25, 2005

Centro Gamez leader Trini Gamez has written Mexican President Vicente Fox, seeking diplomatic pressure on the United States to help win new trials for Alberto Sifuentes and Jesus Ramirez.

August 19, 2005

The habeas corpus hearing for the two defendants is now scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 29, in the 99th District Court, 904 Broadway, Lubbock. The courtroom is on the third floor.

July 31, 2005

La Explosion, a bilingual regional Latino bimonthly with a circulation of 10,000-plus throughout south Georgia and the tip of north Florida, notes the establishment of InnocentInTexas.com and the ongoing efforts to free Alberto Sifuentes and Jesus Ramirez.

July 22, 2005

The judge has decided to grant the state's motion for a brief continuance. The habeas corpus hearing to examine new evidence and problems with the cases will take place Aug. 29 in Littlefield.

July 21, 2005

On motion from the Texas Attorney General's Office, a slight delay in the habeas corpus hearings for Alberto Sifuentes and Jesus Ramirez is probable. The defense team is not objecting, but we have yet to hear whether the judge has accepted the state's proposed delay.

July 20, 2005

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) has begun to take notice of the problems with the Sifuentes-Ramirez cases. National President Hector Lopez is studying the documentation and will consider making a public announcement in the next few days.

LULAC officials have begun using an email network to disseminate information on the case. Those wishing to join the network are welcome to subscribe to the Action E-List.

July 15, 2005

A new Web site has been established to distribute information about the ongoing efforts to free two Mexican nationals wrongly convicted of murder in the Texas Panhandle town of Littlefield.

Read the Press Release here.

June 13, 2005

Delia Gamez and Trini Gamez, long-time Mexican-American organizers in the Panhandle learn of the pending hearing and begin working to make local citizens aware of the upcoming evidentiary hearing in Littlefield. Delia has testified before the Illinois State Senate concerning sweat shops in Chicago. Trini Gamez is the founder of a nonprofit advocacy group in the Panhandle, "Centro Gamez", and they will be working with us through that group, which is known in the area. Send e-mail to centrogamez@gmail.com.

May 10, 2005

At the Texas Attorney General's request, the habeas corpus hearing is again reset for Aug. 2.

April 18, 2005

Local prosecutors remove themselves from the cases. The Texas Attorney General's office is assigned to take up the state's arguments in the upcoming habeas corpus hearings.

March 30, 2005

Habeas corpus hearing rescheduled for May 3-5.

January 2004

A hearing date for the trial judge to hear new evidence produced by lawyers representing Alberto and Jesus is scheduled, then postponed at the request of the prosecution.

December 29, 2004

Dallas Mexican Consulate lodges formal protest with U.S. Justice Department over the trials of Alberto and Jesus. Read the story.