Man convicted of killing and beheading his wife's three kids

KTRK-TV/DT Houston ^ | 11.6.03

[mhking]

(11/06/03 - BROWNSVILLE, TX) — A man who confessed to suffocating, stabbing and beheading his common-law wife's three young children was convicted on three counts of capital murder Thursday.

John Allen Rubio, 23, hung his head but otherwise stood emotionless as the verdict was read.

He and his common-law wife, Angela Camacho, confessed to the deaths in March.

They told police they killed 3-year-old Julissa Quezada, 1-year-old John Esthefan Rubio, and 2-month-old Mary Jane Rubio because they thought the children were possessed and they didn't want them to grow up evil.

Jurors deliberated about eight hours Thursday before reaching a verdict. The sentencing phase begins Friday, with jurors deciding whether Rubio should get the death penalty or life in prison.

During the 2½-week trial and in statements given to police, Rubio and his defense attorneys said he came from a background of poverty, substance abuse and witchcraft.

Rubio said his mother and grandmother were "brujas," or witches, and that his mother had cast an evil spell the night before the killings.

Defense attorneys argued that he was legally insane at the time of the March 11 attacks.

They insisted poverty was no explanation for the overkill that left the oldest of the children with more than 20 stab wounds. They said the only explanation was that Rubio truly believed the children were possessed.

Two psychiatrists testified that Rubio's habit of inhaling up to five cans of spray paint a day probably warped his mind and may have contributed to a permanent psychosis.

Under law, voluntary intoxication is not an excuse for a crime.

While Rubio was diagnosed as a child with emotional problems, Assistant District Attorney Karen Betancourt said he had no history of mental illness.

She also said there was abundant evidence that Rubio knew what he'd done was wrong, including his putting his fists together and telling police, "arrest me" when they arrived at the tiny, windowless apartment.

By the time police arrived, blood had been mopped up and the stained floor had been covered with stuffed toys. They also had hidden the knives and the bodies and cleaned themselves.

Camacho, a 23-year-old Mexican national, is awaiting a hearing on whether she is mentally competent to stand trial.

The two confessed separately, but Camacho later told authorities that they were at wits' end because of money problems and pending cuts to their welfare benefits.

Defense attorneys said mental illness is the only explanation.

"You and I, I think we can all agree that the children were not possessed. But the question is, 'Does my client think they're possessed?" defense attorney Alfredo Padilla said during closing arguments Wednesday. "The only thing that makes sense is that the defendant, Mr. Rubio, was suffering from mental defect."

[mhking]

Just damn.

If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[Guillermo]

Peter Singer told him it was OK.

[76834]

I noticed that the serial killer in Washington state got the big LWOP, even after confessing to dozens of murders.
Too bad he wasnt tried in Texas.

Five will getcha ten that this child killer will get the needle, along with his wife/shack up/live in, whatever

[YankeeinOkieville]

John Allen Rubio, 23, hung his head but otherwise stood emotionless as the verdict was read.

Not sorry he did it, just sorry he couldn't afford Johnny Cochran.

[F.J. Mitchell]

Those poor Children ,were possessed, possessed by those two devils that murdered them.

[WorkingClassFilth]

I'M NOT EVEN A DEATH SENTENCE SUPPORTER, BUT, KILL THIS SLIME-BAG WITH ALL POSSIBLE EXPEDIENCE.

[Bonaparte]

That's the spirit, WCF!

[janetgreen]

Camacho, a 23-year-old Mexican national

But.. the President tells us that these Mexican nationals only come here to work...

[Elsie]

Why?

It's obvious that this is merely 3 late term abortions. VERY late, I'll grant you........

[Elsie]

...they thought the children were possessed and they didn't want them to grow up evil.

---

Yeah, no different from a women who is told her unborn child is 'possessed' by 'bad genes' and it will grow up 'deformed', so you should go ahead and kill it now so it will not 'suffer' in life.

[arepublicifyoucankeepit]

30% of our nations prison population is illegal immigrants.

[janetgreen]

I have heard that too. Aren't we taxpayers lucky? We not only support the illegal aliens with medical care and schooling and welfare, but we get to support them in prison too. Good deal for them, rotten deal for America.

[Cicero]

I don't doubt that Satanism running in this family was one cause of the murders, however you take it. Messing with Satanism and witchcraft isn't a good idea. It often seems to end up in this kind of brutal violence.

[missyme]

Some women and men just need pure and simple castration...

You don't have a right to bring another human being in this world and kill it. hey should cut off this guys head just like he did to those innocent children

[BlessedBeGod]

It's obvious that this is merely 3 late term abortions.

Exactly. You've got it.

[txdoda]

But.. the President tells us that these Mexican nationals only come here to work...>>>>>>


Yes, and let's not forget those *family values* all invaders are supposed to bring with them.

Next thing, mexicans will be suing our gov't for larger welfare checks since "Camacho later told authorities that they were at wits' end because of money problems and pending cuts to their WELFARE benefits".


Prayers for the children....

[workerbee]

God keep these little babies, finally where they are safe. He'll deal with those who brutalized and dispatched them so terribly in His own good time.

[YankeeinOkieville]

Some women and men just need pure and simple castration... should cut off this guys head

which one?

[janetgreen]

Camacho and Rubio should FRY for their horrendous crime.