Potter to seek death penalty in fatal burning
Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against the three suspects in the fatal burning of a Measels Estates woman, who died Saturday from burns she received in the attack almost two weeks ago.
The defendants, Ruben Pimentel, 32, Luiz De La Cruz, 26, and Luiz Gomez, 19, were indicted Tuesday by a special session of the grand jury which convened specifically to hear evidence in the case. The victim, Gina Thompson, 35, died Saturday afternoon following eight days of treatment at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga.
The suspects are accused of dousing the victim in gasoline and setting her on fire while she slept on a sofa inside a trailer at Measels Estates. All three defendants are charged in seven-count indictments charging felony murder, premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder and four counts of aggravated arson.
Prosecutors spelled out their theory in the murder conspiracy indictments against the three.
“The defendants did agree to kill Gina Thompson because they believed she had stolen crack cocaine from them,” the indictment asserts. “They met at Pimentel’s residence in Coffee County where they formulated a plan to kill her. After the meeting, in accordance to their plans, they went to Scots Market in Manchester and stole a gas can. The three then stopped at Golden Gallon in Manchester to buy the gasoline.”
After purchasing the gasoline, investigators believe the men arrived at Thompson’s residence and put their plan into motion. Prosecutors say all three men took active roles.
“One of the co-conspirators took the phone receiver from the phone, a second co-conspirator held a utility knife at the witnesses to prevent them from aiding the victim, and the third co-conspirator doused her with gasoline and ignited it,” the indictment claims.
Given the allegations against all three suspects, District Attorney General Dale Potter said prosecutors will formally file a notice asking for the death penalty. Potter said he hopes to try the case this coming summer.
“I realize the state has budget problems and that seeking the death penalty will substantially increase costs of prosecuting this case. However, the facts of this case require that for justice to be served, the ultimate punishment must be sought and determined by a jury,” Potter said in asking for the death penalty.
The district attorney noted that asking for the death penalty will afford the defendants additional advantages which include death case certified attorneys and expert witnesses, all which will likely be charged to the state. The defendants will be arraigned before Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley on Oct. 8. They remain held on $750,000 bonds at Warren County Jail.
The case, should it go to trial as a death penalty case, will mark the first such trial since 1988 when J.B. McCord was convicted for the murder of attorney Robert Bonner. McCord ultimately had his death conviction overturned but ended up dying in prison while serving his sentence.
In a related matter, drug trafficking charges have been leveled against Pimentel. Authorities here say they bought an assortment of drugs from Pimentel during an undercover operation conducted prior to the murder. Pimentel had his probation revoked for a prior arrest here on weapons possession charges Tuesday.
Pimentel was a Coffee County resident. His two alleged co-conspirators, who are stepbrothers, arrived in Tennessee less than eight hours before the attack on Thompson.
Facing death
• If the case should go to trial as a death penalty case, it will mark the first time that has happened in Warren County since 1988.
• Potter admits a death penalty case will cost the state more money, but says it’s the only way justice can be served in this instance.