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| Albert Gaxiola (pool photo by Mamta Popat/Arizona Daily Star) |
Former Arivaca resident Albert Robert Gaxiola told the victims of the May 30, 2009, home invasion in Arivaca that he was “truly sorry” for the deaths of Raul “Junior” Flores and his daughter, Brisenia.
On July 1, Gaxiola, 44, was found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of Raul “Junior” Flores and his daughter Brisenia, as well as six other charges. Earlier this year, Bush and Forde were found guilty on the same charges in separate trials. They both ended up with death sentences imposed by the juries hearing the evidence of their crimes.
At the conclusion of the presentation of evidence in the penalty phase of the trial, the defendant is given the opportunity to allocate, which according to yourdictionary.com is “The procedure during sentencing when a judge gives a convicted defendant the opportunity to make a personal statement on his own behalf to mitigate the punishment that is about to be imposed.”
The statement by Gaxiola was unsworn and not subject to cross-examination. “Flores Family. Gonzalez Family. There’s nothing that I can do or say that can relieve the pain and suffering from the loss of a loving husband or the loss of a precious daughter. All I can say is that I am truly sorry.”
With that, the attorneys began closing arguments in the case.
