Press Coverage

Convicted killers press for release

Defense argues court should revisit case

P. Christine Mills

Avalanche-Journal

The efforts of two men to have their murder convictions overturned continues today with the conclusion of a habeas corpus evidentiary hearing at the Lubbock County Courthouse.

The hearing is aimed at convincing a judge that the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals should examine Alberto Sifuentes' and Jesus Ramirez's convictions. Juries convicted the men in 1998 for the 1996 murder of Littlefield Jolly Roger convenience store clerk Evangelina Cruz.

Defense attorneys began to present evidence in August and the hearing has been recessed twice because of legal issues and the unavailability of a witness. That witness, former Texas Ranger Sal Abreo, has received a subpoena and is scheduled to testify today, said defense attorney Barry F. McNeil of Dallas firm Haynes & Boone LLP.

"We hope in 30 days from Monday we will be coming back to essentially argue the case so that the judge can then find facts and conclusions of law," McNeil said on Friday.

The law firm, which represents Sifuentes and Ramirez pro bono in the habeas corpus effort, filed writs of habeas corpus on the men's behalf in 2002. The writs outline claims of new evidence that has come to light since the convictions. The writs also claim ineffective assistance of original trial counsel.

Lamb County District Attorney Mark Yarbrough said recently that despite the claims of new evidence he still believes that Sifuentes and Ramirez committed the murder.

The hearing is set to begin today at 9 a.m. in the North Impact Room on the courthouse's fourth floor.