SAN ANTONIO — The trial of Juan David Ortiz continues in San Antonio. He is the former Border Patrol agent accused of murdering four women in Laredo in 2018.
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.
Prosecutors showed the jury surveillance and body-camera video of Texas DPS troopers confronting Ortiz outside a Stripes convenience store in Laredo on Sept. 15, 2018.
By this time, Ortiz was wanted in possible connection to the murders of at least two women whose bodies were discovered north of Laredo.
Body-cam video showed troopers John Henry Bradshaw and Javier Obregon responding to the gas station where Ortiz was exiting the Stripes, appearing nervous and apprehensive.
The troopers' verbal attempts to bring in Ortiz failed, which led to the suspect running away and leading authorities on a two and a half hour manhunt in Laredo.
Body-cam footage revealed law enforcement's efforts in searching for Ortiz, who was eventually found hiding in the back of a truck on the top floor of a hotel parking garage.
Webb County Sheriff's Office officials testified as well guiding the jury over evidence collected at multiple crimes scenes where the bodies of four women were discovered. Among the evidence included bullet casings found on the victims.
Authorities called Ortiz a rogue agent and a serial killer who they say preyed on some of the most vulnerable members of the community.
Ortiz was a 10-year veteran of the Border Patrol and an intel supervisor. Webb County investigators said Ortiz targeted women who shared a similar profile. They were all shot, and their bodies were dumped in remote areas of the city.
On Monday, Erika Peña testified before the court, recounting her history with the defendant, in particular the day of Sept. 14, 2018, when she felt something was off about his behavior. By this time, Peña was aware of law enforcement's discovery of bodies in Webb County.
"Nobody knew who it was. Everyone, all the girls were watching their backs," Peña said.
DPS Trooper Francisco Hernandez also testified, guiding the jury through body-cam video of his interaction with Peña who ran away from Ortiz.
Defense attorney Joel Perez opened with criticisms of the criminal investigation and supposed illegal searches of Ortiz' vehicle. He noted the former Border Patrol agent was coerced into confessing.
"He's broken, he's suicidal, he wants his family taken care of. He doesn't know where he's going to go and he starts saying there I did it," Perez said. "No one can come in here and tell you beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Ortiz is the trigger man with that firearm that killed these women.”
Investigators said Ortiz knew the victims. The first victim was Melissa Ramirez, 29, who was found on Sept. 3, 2018. Ten days later, the body of Claudine Luera, 42, was discovered about two miles from Ramirez’s location. Humberto “Janelle” Ortiz, 28, and Guiselda Cantu were found around the time that a fifth woman allegedly escaped from Ortiz’s custody and flagged down a Texas state trooper.
According to affidavits, Ortiz "provided a voluntary verbal confession" in the deaths of the women.
The trial continues Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.