SAN ANTONIO — The trial of former Border Patrol agent Juan David Ortiz began on Monday in San Antonio. He is accused of murdering four women in Laredo four years ago.
Friday marked day five of the trial.
The jury watched the interrogation between law enforcement and Ortiz where he admitted to killing the sex workers over a two-week span in September 2018.
Ortiz expressed his dislike for the women, saying they're not "good people" which fueled his drive to killing. The victims are Melissa Ramirez, Claudine Anne Luera, Griselda Alicia Hernandez Cantu, and Janelle Enriquez Ortiz.
Ortiz's defense team argued investigators coerced Ortiz into confessing. Attorney Joel Perez questioned Webb County Sheriff Capt. Federico Calderon whether he thought the investigators ignored Ortiz's Fifth Amendment right to stay silent when he initially denied to cooperate with the investigation.
Calderon replied by stating he didn't think that was the case.
As this trial continues, a development occurred; an attorney assigned to the prosecution team resigned. Associate District Attorney Joshua Davila stepped down Thursday morning, according to Webb County officials.
Webb County District Attorney and lead prosecutor Isidro Alaniz stated Davila's resignation has nothing to do with the ongoing trial and will not impact the remainder of court proceedings.
The jury viewed more video of the 10-hour interrogation between the former Border Patrol agent and law enforcement.
Ortiz began opening up about his interactions with Erika Pena, the woman he paid for sex and held at gunpoint before she escaped and contacted a Texas DPS trooper.
Ortiz told investigators he felt an "impending doom" and suicidal during the events leading up to his arrest at a hotel parking garage on Sept. 15, 2018.
Investigators held up crime scene photos for Ortiz to see, explaining how the four victims looked before and after their murders.
The trial was moved from Webb County to San Antonio. Ortiz is facing four counts of murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful restraint.
The trial will resume Monday morning and be livestreamed on KENS5.com
Learn more about KENS 5:
Since going on the air in 1950, KENS 5 has strived to be the best, most trusted news and entertainment source for generations of San Antonians.
KENS 5 has brought numerous firsts to South Texas television, including being the first local station with a helicopter, the first with its own Doppler radar and the first to air a local morning news program.
Over the years, KENS 5 has worked to transform local news. Our cameras have been the lens bringing history into local viewers' homes. We're proud of our legacy as we serve San Antonians today.
Today, KENS 5 continues to set the standard in local broadcasting and is recognized by its peers for excellence and innovation. The KENS 5 News team focuses on stories that really matter to our community.
You can find KENS 5 in more places than ever before, including KENS5.com, the KENS 5 app, the KENS 5 YouTube channel, KENS 5's Roku and Fire TV apps, and across social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more!
Want to get in touch with someone at KENS 5? You can send a message using our Contacts page or email one of our team members.