Arizona jury condemns anti-immigration activist to death Shawna Forde

A jury on Tuesday sentenced the leader of a small Arizona group opposed to illegal immigration to die for her role in the home invasion shooting deaths of a father and his 9-year-old daughter.

The jury of 11 women and one man returned the death penalty verdict for Shawna Forde, 43, the founder and leader of the Minutemen American Defense group, for the May 30, 2009, killings of Brisenia Flores, 9, and her father, Raul Junior Flores, 29, in Arivaca, in southern Arizona.

The case now automatically goes to the Arizona Supreme Court for an appeal.

A jury found Forde guilty on two charges of first degree murder earlier this month. It also convicted her of attempted first-degree murder in the shooting of Flores' wife, Gina Gonzalez, 31, together with related counts of aggravated assault and robbery.

Superior Court Judge John Leonardo will sentence Forde on April 25 on those charges.

During the trial, prosecutors alleged Forde planned to use funds from the robbery to bankroll her border watch group, according to news reports.

Forde turned up at the family's home during the night and identified herself and a companion as police officers looking for fugitives, the Arizona Daily Star newspaper reported.

The gunman then shot and killed Flores and his daughter and wounded Gonzalez, who survived and managed to call 911.

Two co-defendants, Albert Robert Gaxiola and Jason Eugene Bush, were charged with Forde in the shootings and are awaiting trial. Prosecutors allege that Forde and Gaxiola chose the house and initiated and led the attacks, according to court documents.

Prosecutors cited multiple murders, a victim under age 15 and monetary gain as circumstances supporting the death penalty for Forde.

Justice.
Lets just hope Jan Brewer does not pardon her and giver the medal of honor.

Good thing this crime did not happen in Maricopa County (Arpaio land) cause otherwise she would have been set free of all charges.