Third border activist convicted in Arizona killings
Published 7:16 pm Friday, July 1, 2011
TUCSON, Ariz. — A third border activist has been convicted of killing a southern Arizona man and his young daughter in a 2009 home invasion.
A Pima County Superior Court jury deliberated five hours Friday before finding Albert Gaxiola, 44, guilty of first-degree murder.
Jurors must no
w decide if the circumstances of the case warrant consideration of the death penalty. If they do, the Arizona Daily Star says, defense attorneys will present mitigation evidence.
Co-defendant Shawna Forde, formerly of Everett, was sentenced to death in February and co-defendant Jason Eugene Bush, of Washington, was sentenced to death in April.
Authorities say three people dressed as law enforcement officers allegedly forced their way into the victims’ home in Arivaca, south of Tucson, on May 30, 2009. Raul Junior Flores, 29, and Brisenia, 9, were fatally shot.
