On his 43rd birthday, Ramiro Gonzales was executed by lethal injection in Huntsville, Texas for the brutal rape and murder of an 18-year-old girl. The execution took place at the Walls Unit prison on October 10th, amidst protests from anti-death penalty advocates. Gonzales’ execution marked the 14th in Texas so far this year.
The victim, Lisa Martinez, was a high school senior who had just turned 18 when she encountered Gonzales on her way home from school. According to court documents, Gonzales forced her into his car at knifepoint and drove her to a remote area where he raped and strangled her to death. Her body was found two days later by hikers.
Gonzales initially denied any involvement in the crime but DNA evidence confirmed his guilt. The jury unanimously sentenced him to death in 2024 after just three hours of deliberation. He had been on death row for 23 years before his execution.
The case garnered national attention due to the brutal nature of the crime and Gonzales’ repeated attempts to appeal his sentence. However, the victim’s family maintained that justice was finally served with Gonzales’ execution.
Here are some key points about this case:
- Ramiro Gonzales was convicted of raping and killing an 18-year-old girl in 2024.
- He was sentenced to death in a unanimous jury decision.
- During his 23 years on death row, he repeatedly appealed his sentence but was denied eachtime.