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| 1987 Vasquez,Cheryl June 28,1987; El Paso | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Aug 13 2009, 08:49 PM (808 Views) | |
| PorchlightUSA | Aug 13 2009, 08:49 PM Post #1 |
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http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_13028346?source=most_viewed Hostile, unstable killer El Paso serial killer on death row led stormy life Special report part 2: The execution of David L. Wood By Diana Washington Valdez / El Paso Times Posted: 08/10/2009 12:00:00 AM MDT EL PASO -- Convicted serial killer David Leonard Wood led a troubled life marked by anger, frustration and perhaps even a learning disability. Wood, 52, has been on death row for 17 years. The state plans to execute him Aug. 20 for the 1987 murders of six girls and young women in the desert outside El Paso. Police also suspected Wood in the disappearances of three other teenage girls, all of whom vanished in 1987. His father, Leo Wood, who worked at the El Paso Electric Co., said in 1992 that Wood had a rough and unstable childhood. He said Wood's mother was mentally ill, and that he divorced her after a stormy 24-year marriage. During times the parents were separated, David Wood and his siblings stayed in foster homes. The senior Wood described his son as a hyperactive child who required medications. David Wood has maintained his innocence in the murders, but declined requests to be interviewed. While with his parents, Wood lived in a middle-class neighborhood in Northeast El Paso. For a brief time, he also lived in Chaparral, N.M. All but one of his victims had ties to those two areas. Wood told a court-appointed psychiatrist in the 1980s that he became sexually active when he was 12, and began using alcohol and marijuana in his early adolescent years. He dropped out of Parkland -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Advertisement -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- High School in the ninth grade. Wood tried to join the military, but was rejected. Another psychiatrist, this one from Stanford University, testified at Wood's 1992 capital murder trial. He said Wood had a below-average IQ of 68. Police, though, said Wood was a cunning predator and a longtime lawbreaker before his crimes escalated to murder. Wood served more than two years in prison, from April 1977 to December 1979, after being convicted of indecency with a child. Soon after his parole, he was in trouble again, this time charged with sexually assaulting a 13-year-old and a 19-year-old. The attacks occurred eight days apart, in March 1980. Wood knew the older teenager but the other girl was a stranger. A psychiatrist's report after the two sexual assaults said Wood "sees relationships as conflicted. It appears that there is considerable hostility as well as paranoid insecurity." Convicted of the two sex crimes, he served another seven years in prison. The state paroled Wood for the second time in January 1987. His return to El Paso coincided with a crime rampage in the city. Teenage girls and young women, nine in all, began disappearing, mostly in Northeast El Paso. Six bodies turned up in the desert. The murder victims were Rosa Maria Casio, 24; Ivy Susanna Williams, 23; Karen Baker, 20; Angelica Frausto, 17; Desiree Wheatley, 15; and Dawn Marie Smith, 14. Police also suspected Wood in the disappearances of Marjorie Knox, 14, Cheryl Vasquez-Dismukes, 19, and Melissa Alaniz, 14. All three vanished in 1987. Wood roamed Northeast El Paso in a truck or on a red Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He had several tattoos, wore his hair long and packed a buck knife. Roy Hazelwood, an FBI profiler whom El Paso police consulted in 1989, said the killer buried the bodies near where he lived. At the time, the profiler did not know Wood was a suspect. Hazelwood said the killer projected a "macho" image to mask feelings of inadequacy. Wood often kept company with teenage girls. Pete Vasquez is the brother of one of the missing woman, Cheryl Vasquez-Dismukes. Vasquez said Wood attended the Crossroads Church, which had an outreach ministry for teenagers. "I don't recall specifically meeting David Wood, but a week or two after I started attending, the group was asked to pray for him because he had been arrested," Vasquez said. Now, he says, he hopes Wood will disclose any details about his missing sister in the 10 days before the state executes him. Wood did not respond to requests asking him if he knew what happened to Vasquez-Dismukes or the other missing girls, Alaniz and Knox. Wood worked in a furniture store and did odd jobs, such as yard work for real estate companies. His friends said he frequented bars and nightclubs along Dyer, Alameda and Montana, and was especially fond of clubs that featured topless dancers. His former cellmates said Wood claimed he was a drug dealer, and that some of his victims sold drugs for him. Though medical professionals described Wood as dysfunctional, others say his physical appearance provided him with a robust social life. "Girls loved him and he loved girls," said Erika Dismukes, mother-in-law of Cheryl Vasquez-Dismukes. "He was good-looking and women were attracted to him." Wood lived with a girlfriend in 1987, while El Paso's murder count escalated. A dancer in clubs, she would eventually testify at his murder trial. Another woman, a prostitute and drug addict, helped build the state's case against Wood. In 1987, she accused Wood of tying her to a tree and sexually assaulting her in the Northeast desert, between Dyer and McCombs. This gave police a way to take one of their prime suspects in the serial killings off the streets. Found guilty of the sexual assault in March 1988, Wood was sentenced to 50 years in prison. By then, Wood knew he was a suspect in the desert killings. He said he was a victim of false accusations. "You're never going to see me say, 'Hey, I'm the guy,' for the simple fact of my pride. I'm not going to confess to something I didn't do," he said. While incarcerated, he married Valerie Ann Trader in May 1988. He divorced her three years later. As far as anyone knows, Wood never fathered any children. In 1990, Wood filed a lawsuit against El Paso police, accusing them of harassment and making him an "escape goat" because they could not solve the murders. His suit went nowhere, as he was tried and convicted of six of the murders. During a recess in Wood's murder trial, Dolph Quijano, one of two defense lawyers, told the judge Wood needed a sedative because he was coming "unglued" over testimony he disagreed with. But when Wood had the chance to take an oath and dispute what witnesses had said, he stayed silent, declining to testify. Diana Washington Valdez may be reached at dvaldez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6140. |
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| PorchlightUSA | Aug 13 2009, 08:50 PM Post #2 |
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http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/v/vasquez_cheryl.html Cheryl Vasquez Above: Vasquez, circa 1987 Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance Missing Since: June 28, 1987 from El Paso, Texas Classification: Endangered Missing Date Of Birth: March 3, 1968 Age: 19 years old Height and Weight: 5'6, 110 pounds Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian female. Brown hair, brown eyes. Vasquez's ears are pierced. She may use the last name Dismukes. Clothing/Jewelry Description: A white t-shirt imprinted with an animal design, jeans and possibly white slip-on sandals. Details of Disappearance Vasquez was last seen on June 28, 1987 in El Paso, Texas. She was at the Circle K Store in the 10600 block of McCombs Street at the time of her disappearance. Vasquez was accompanied by an unidentified Caucasian male with blond hair. The individual was driving a striped beige pickup truck. Vasquez has never been heard from again. Foul play is suspected in her disappearance. Investigating Agency If you have any information concerning this case, please contact: El Paso Police Department 915-564-7360 OR Texas Department Of Public Safety 800-346-3243 Source Information Texas Department Of Public Safety The Doe Network Updated 1 time since October 12, 2004. Last updated October 20, 2005; law enforcement contacted added. Charley Project Home |
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| PorchlightUSA | Aug 13 2009, 08:50 PM Post #3 |
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http://z10.invisionfree.com/usedtobedoe/in...opic=8778&st=0& |
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| PorchlightUSA | Aug 25 2009, 10:06 PM Post #4 |
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http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5...vid.html?cat=17 Interview: Convicted Serial Killer David L. Wood Claims Innocence February 01, 2008 by Dee Dee Published Content: 195Total Views: 364,287Fans: 100View Profile | Follow | Add to Favorites Recommend (18)Single pageFont SizeRead comments (42) Share More topicsClaims | Expert Witness | Grim Sleeper | Killer | Day Job Killer My Interview with David from His Death Row Cell in Texas, with Summary of His Case Concerning the Northeast Desert Murders Back in 1987, several young women between the ages of 14 through 24 were missing from El Paso Texas. The police and officials in El Paso were baffled as to who the killer was, but they felt they were dealing with David L. Wood, Convicted Northeast Desert Murders Serial Killer Date of Interview: 1/2008 a serial killer. Bodies of six women were soon found in shallow graves in the desert in El Paso, and the murders became known as The Northeast Desert Murders. David L. Wood wrote to me and sent paper work about his case. Here is his story, about his case, followed by my interview with David. He alleges that in January of 1987 he was paroled to El Paso from a prison term of 2-20 years for a sexual offense. He says he was picked up by police 4 times in a 3 month period and accused of crimes he didn't commit. David alleges that when the young women began disappearing he became a prime suspect when one of the missing women, Cheryl Vasquez was said to have been seen with David last, but later reports show Vasquez was at a party after she was seen with Wood. Vasquez was never found. Wood claims because of the high media attention this case was receiving he was under constance surveillance. He was routinely questioned and photographed, including photos of his tattoos. Wood says he cooperated with police and that his truck was broken into and clothes belonging to him were taken, but nothing else. Wood claims he was constantly harassed by police at that time. David claims that on September 4, 1987, two of the missing girls bodies were found, Maria Casio, and Karen Baker. The following month another search located the bodies of Dawn Smith and Desiree Wheatly. The following month an even larger search of the area produced the body of Angie Frausto.Wood claims the last search "was massive in size" with over 350 people helping out and with search dogs from the police department and Texas's prison system, resulting in no finds. He alleges that police made this fact clear on the news that "there were no more bodies." Wood alleges that only three days after the last girl was found he was arrested on October 23, 1987, on unrelated charges. He claims he wasn't aware of what he was being arrested for, for almost sixteen hours. He claims he soon found out he was being arrested for 2 warrants which Woods David L. Wood, Convicted Northeast Desert Murders Serial Killer Date of Interview: 1/2008 called holdout warrants that police had on him for 2 months. He says the first was for aggravated sexual assault of a women named Judith Brown Kelling. Wood alleges that Kelling was a prostitute with a heroin habit, and a self admitted police informant with a long arrest history. Wood claims that Kelling gave the date of the alleged crime as "sometime between July and August", Wood claims the statement backfired when it was learned the alleged truck was in a wrecking yard during that time, because it had been in an accident by Wood's brother. Wood's also claims it was then that the date on the indictment was changed to the day before.the accident. Wood alleges the second warrant was for the alleged attempted kidnapping of Gina Gallegos. Wood says she was also a prostitute. He claims that his trial for the Kelling case was to begin on March, 15, 1988, and that he was going to be tried as a habitual offender, and that if he was convicted he would face a life sentence. Wood claims the day before his trial another body, Ivy Williams, was found in the same area as the "massive search" that had previously taken place.He claims this story made headline news the day before his trial. Wood wondered, "How could they have missed this body?" He says it's "No Way" they could have missed this body then find it the day before his trial. He claims the pathologist said this girl could have been out in the desert for more than a year, and Wood says, that was before he had been paroled from prison. Wood claims about three weeks before the trial was to begin his attorney informed him that he was going to be charged with the rape of a sixteen year old girl who lived in his area. He claims this was one of the cases he was picked up and questioned David L. Wood, Convicted Northeast Desert Murders Serial Killer Date of Interview: 1/2008 about right after he was paroled. Wood claims the headlines read "Rape victim identifies desert suspect through voice lineup." Wood claims their was much publicity about this case, and samples had been taken from him and sent to the DPS lab for comparison with a rape kit taken from the victim. Wood claims when the test came back about a week later, he was cleared 100%. Wood alleges that district attorney Richard Jukes told the judge that he was completely cleared but he asked the judge to order that the results be kept out of the media. Wood says they did not want the media to know that he was cleared, and called this "an example of dirty politics." Wood was sentenced to 50 years for "non-aggraved " and claims after his conviction the charges with the Gallegos case were dropped, and feels that she was just backup if they needed it. Woods claims that Kelling's pending charges were dropped. Wood claims while in prison serving the 50 year term, Steve Simmons the head DA tried to get him indicted on the Northeast Murders, but was twice denied by the grand jury. Woods states that he had given 6 vials of blood, head and pubic hair, fingernail clippings, skin scrapings, and saliva, all before he was even charged with these murders. He alleges that every scientific test known in 1987 had been done to him, his truck, (taking dirt and rocks from his tires), to compare to samples taken from the crime scenes. Woods claims he has FBI and DPS lab reports of tests that had been conducted and that in his words "Could not find one single match of evidence from me and the evidence found with any of the six victims." There was questions about what police described as orange fiber, that Wood's claims he can explain. Woods claims the orange fiber in question came from the Wheatly crime scene. Woods claims that when Wheatly was found buried, the detectives set up around the crime scene, did a preliminary search, exhumed the body, and left. He claims the police work was incompetent, and that the grave site was left open to the public for 8 days before they returned to look for evidence. He claims one of the four that went to look for evidence was from the bomb squad, one was an ID sergeant, and none were the detectives that were working on the case. Woods claims that 3 days after Wheatly was found and he was arrested they impounded his truck and totally dismantled it, including taking the seat out of the truck and placing it in the evidence room. Five days later Woods claims that when 4 police sergeants returned to the Wheatly David L. Wood, Convicted Northeast Desert Murders Serial Killer Date of Interview: 1/2008crime scene to look for evidence they found a clump of fibers, and found another clump of fibers the following day. Woods also claims that during his murder trial the states own expert witness testified that it is unusual to find that amount of fibers at a crime scene. He says this is in his trial records. Woods alleges that they made a link between the orange fibers and himself, and claims they said the alleged fibers came from underneath his car seat. He says it did not come from the wall to wall shag carpet, the seat covers, or the numerous other fibers througout his truck. He claims this orange fiber was only found at the Wheatly crime scene. Because they had no warrant to cover it in the search of his truck, Wood's said the fibers could not be used as evidence, and he alleges they came up with another plan. Wood's alleges that on November 28, Detective Guerrero got a warrant to search the garage where he had been living with his girlfriend. He found several items and left. A couple of days later the land lady called him to tell him about a Hoover vacuum she had found in the garage. Wood claims the detective got another warrant, returned to the garage and took only the vacuum cleaner bag. Wood's claims there were no fingerprints taken to determine if the vacuum cleaner belonged to him. Woods said "Well, magic, as only cops can do, the orange fiber miraculously turned up in the vacuum cleaner bag." He goes on to say that the "really odd thing about this is that this was a full sized stand up vacuum cleaner," He states that none can explain how one kind of fiber got from underneath his truck seat, and into a full size, stand up vacuum cleaner. Wood's states that three years later a reward was being offered to find the murderer of these girls. Wood's states the total reward money was $26,000. Wood's alleges that this was when jail house informers came into the picture. Wood's claims that James Carl Sweeny and Randy Lee Wells David L. Wood, Convicted Northeast Desert Murders Serial Killer Date of Interview: 1/2008 both ex-cons, and both were cell mates of his while he was serving the 50 year sentence. Wood's alleges that Sweeny was doing a 69 year sentence for drug possession and forgery. Woods states that Sweeny was a self proclaimed jail house lawyer who did legal work for inmates, and offered to do legal work about his case, and file a civil rights lawsuit for him. Wood's alleges that Sweeny wanted all his information, and also said he had to pay him. Wood's alleges that he found out Sweeny had contacted a DA in Dallas about another inmates case he was working on. He alleges that Sweeny tried to get help on his own prison sentence but the DA didn't want to be bothered.Woods claims that one day in the cell Sweeny was reading about the $26,000 reward on the Northeast desert Murder cases, and allegedly said "Well, your screwed now because there's going to be a witness against you." Woods claims the very next day when Sweeny went to work and the warden was called. He states the warden then called the detectives. Wood's claims that after Sweeny talked to detectives, they started looking up all the "cellies" he had, and that is when they found Randy Lee Wells. Wood's claims Wells was a habitual offender with a long record. Wood's alleges Wells was told he would get his charges dropped to a lesser crime, the $26,000 reward money, and the rights to any book or movie deal that may come out of his testimony against him. Wood's stated that he feels the last promise was laughable but that it can be verified in trial transcripts. Woods claims that Sweeny and Wells were moved into a protective cell together for 5 days. Wood's claims they were both taken to the crime scene, both visited detectives together, and all before they went before the Grand jury. Wood's said "They were practically handed a script to read from." It was at this point that Wood's was finally indicted for the Northeast Desert Murders. He was found guilty and is now residing on Texas 's death row, Polunsky Unit. David has an enormous amount of paper work concerning his case, and documents to prove what he has said. He proclaims his innocence. The following is my interview with David. l. Wood. Some of his answers have already been answered in the above summary of his case, but I wanted to show the complete interview What were you convicted for and what is your sentence? I was convicted for (6) six murders in El Paso Texas and I was given the death penalty. Did you have any prior record, and what what it for? I have two prior prison sentences both for sexual offenses. (Actually it was three/ but one of those was the Kelling case which in tied with this case.) Could you tell us a little about the case? The bio included with this letter will explain the circumstances involved with this case and no one knows what actually happened to the victimes including the police. There was only one that they suspected was stabbed. In one of the cases the body 'and all her cloths were destroyed 'before' evidence could be taken from them. Are you innocent? Am I innocent? d*mn right! But let my case speak for itself! If people will only listen to what is actually involved they'll see the case for what it really is. A 'built" case from nothing! As for proof there is NO proof in a 'circumstantial case. Either against the defendant or the David L. Wood, Convicted Northeast Desert Murders Serial Killer Date of Interview: 1/2008 defendant trying to clear himself. That is 'why' it is so easy to get a conviction and given the death penalty. Again if ALL of the facts are included and listened too then 'that' should be enough to 'presume' innocence. Do you have any thoughts on who might have done this crime and why? "I" have no thoughts as to who may have been involved or no idea of why they were done. How did they get the conviction and the death penalty? I was tried convicted and sentenced to death on the testimony of (3) informants working for the state prosecutors for favoritism in their own legal situations. Also I was tried for ALL six cases in the same trial it is a part of my trial transcripts that the head DA Steve Simmons quoted in a memo to the D.A.'s over my case "There is only one way to get any convictions on Wood we need to try all the cases at once in .the same trial for the prejudice (or prejudicial) factor and we also need to do it with 'inmate testimony, (known as jail house snitches) Also I had two court appointed attorneys who were more worried about 'offending' the people they work with then defending me and there is some proof to that issue. Also my case was moved to Dallas Texas highly against my wishes because at the time Dallas was the leading city in the country for handing out the death penalty. I even refused to participate in my trial because of this move. What has it been like on death row all these years? Being on death row has been one of the hardest experiences I've ever known not only for the factor that I did NOT kill these people/ and I have been turned down at every turn for justice from the courts but the conditions, here are the worst that I have ever seen in the prison system. I've been told that I had aged twenty years in eight years and there are many here who have become the same way. I have been on death row since early 1993 but we have been here on the Polunsky lock down segregation unit going on nine years now. At what point is your appeals at? MY appeals are at the Supreme court level, and this is my last shot at hope before they execute me. Every court before them have all turned me down NOT on evidence but false testimony given by criminals. 90% of the people involved in this case had some type of criminal record. Also the David L. Wood, Convicted Northeast Desert Murders Serial Killer Date of Interview: 1/2008 courts have stated"That even though they agree that inmate testimony tainted it is still evidence in the court of law, and it is the burden of the defendant to 'prove that said testimony is false." This in itself is an almost impossible act to achieve if the snitch) is protected by the state and he won't admit his testimony is a lie how can the defendant prove it is? How can the public help you? Wow this is the question isn't it? They say that once you get to the supreme court on your case thats pretty much it if they don't want to help you. I would like to think and hope that is not the case. Before I am executed for this crime I would at least like to have to chance to have all the facts an issues heard. About how it got started how it progressed how I was arrested. tried, and convicted. The rules of Police conduct and rules of law did not come into effect in this case. This is a border town that is used to doing things their own way without any outside help. In fact in this case they 'refused outside help from other agencies including the FBI. I would like enough attention on my case that it would bring enough pressure to my lawyers to do their job the way their suppose too also enough attention needs to be brought against El Paso in this case and have it investigated for the police corruption and corrupted coercion tactics they used to get statements, and people involved. They should at least be investigated for their illegal and lack of use of proper police procedures. I might not be liked because of my past crimes but 'if' I did not commit these murders then the state should not be allowed to so easily pass out the death penalty. This is the final punishment if later it was found out that someone was innocent theres no correcting it. its to late for that. David ended his letter with these words "Thats about all I can give you for now if you have any questions and I mean anything don't hesitate to ask. because I'm suppose to be a professional liar and con I don't expect you to just 'believe' what I have to say so what ever you ask and will send whatever 'proof' that I can with that answer. I do have police reports supplements, DNA reports at least everything 'they' wanted us to have. Again thank you, and take care. David can produce documents, newspaper clippings, paperwork, etc. for all he has said, and can be reached at this address: David Wood #999051 Polunsky Unit Death row 3872 FM 350 South Livingston Texas, 77351 Source: Letters from David Wood, Documents and legal paperwork, with written permission from Wood to use. |
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| PorchlightUSA | Aug 25 2009, 10:08 PM Post #5 |
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Victims of the 1987 crime wave in the Northeast El Paso Times Staff Posted: 08/09/2009 12:00:00 AM MDT Murdered Karen Baker At 20, she had three young children and lived in the 4500 block of Arlen. She left the Hawaiian Royale Motel with David Leonard Wood on June 4, 1987. Baker told a motel employee she had a date with him. A utility worker found her body Sept. 4, 1987, in the Northeast desert. Rosa Maria Casio A resident of Addison, Texas, she was visiting her sister in Juárez just before she disappeared. She went to El Paso on Aug. 12, 1987, to buy postage stamps. Casio, 24, was to enroll Aug. 17, 1987, at Brookhaven Community College. About 5 feet tall and 100 pounds, she worked as a waitress and dancer. Witnesses saw her at the Cabaret Club on Montana Avenue with a man who fit Wood's description. Her car, a 1974 green Ford Grand Torino, was found a day later in Central El Paso. The same man who discovered Baker's body found Casio's remains on Sept. 4, 1987. Casio's jaw was broken in two places. Angelica Frausto She lived in the 3600 block of Fillmore, but mostly stayed with friends. She dropped out of Henderson Middle School, where she was in a program for students with behavioral problems. Although underage, the 17-year-old worked as a dancer at the Red Flame bar on Dyer. She checked in regularly with her grandmother. Before her disappearance, witnesses saw her with Wood on his motorcycle on Aug. 8, 1987. Police found her body Nov. 3, 1987. Relatives said she was buried alive. Dawn Marie Smith She lived in the 6100 block of Quail before running away in June 1987. She kept in touch with her family until August 1987. Just 14, she told her family was not going back home. She told others she was pregnant. She attended Parkland High School. Tipsters who called Crime Stoppers allegedly saw a biker shoot her to death in Chaparral. Police could not verify this account. Ivy Susanna Williams She liked to ride motorcycles, and was married to Ray Fierro of El Paso. Prosecutors charged Williams, 23, with prostitution and drug possession. She worked as a club dancer and stayed at the Hawaiian Royale Motel, but was often on the move. Another dancer saw Williams with Wood before she disappeared. Police discovered her body March 14, 1988. The medical examiner said she was stabbed repeatedly, including in the face. Desiree Wheatley She was a 15-year-old student at H.E. Charles Middle School. Wheatley lived in the 10600 block of Tiber, near Wood's home. She was 5 feet, 1 inch tall and weighed 92 pounds. Her mother described her as a normal teenager who liked to collect plush toy animals. People at a convenience store saw her in Wood's pickup on June 2, 1987, before she disappeared. Missing Melissa Alaniz She lived in the 10400 block of Orpheus, near Wood's home. The 14-year-year-old disappeared on March 7, 1987. She had run away before then, but returned home after two nights. Her family said she was going through a teenage rebellion after she got involved with the wrong crowd. She attended H.E. Charles Middle School. Alaniz stood 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weighed 105 pounds. Marjorie Knox Only 14, she disappeared Feb. 14, 1987, while visiting friends in El Paso. She lived in Chaparral, N.M., and might have been pregnant. She had gone to a friend's house for a Valentine's Day party. Her father said she loved horses and sports. Wood was seen with her on several occasions before she disappeared. She was 5 feet, 3 inches tall and weighed 115 pounds. She knew Desiree Wheatley from when both lived in Chaparral and rode the same school bus. Cheryl Lynn Vasquez-Dismukes She was a graduate of Andress High School and H.E. Charles Middle School. She worked at Whataburger in the 8100 block of Dyer and at Matador Plastics. The 19-year-old married Robert Dismukes by proxy a week before she disappeared. He was an inmate at the state prison in Huntsville, and was convicted of burglary and attempted murder. She was 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighed 105 pounds. Witnesses saw her buy cigarettes at a Circle K store on McCombs on June 28, 1987. Before she vanished, they said, she was talking to a man in a truck who resembled Wood. http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_13024284?source=most_emailed |
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| PorchlightUSA | Aug 25 2009, 10:10 PM Post #6 |
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Petra TX: David L. Wood's path from El Paso to Death Row Sun Aug 9, 2009 13:30 194.8.209.197 David L. Wood's path from El Paso to Death Row El Paso Times Staff Posted: 08/09/2009 Desert Deaths - Following the execution of David Leonard Wood David Leonard Wood to be executed Aug. 20 Victims of the 1987 crime wave in the Northeast Chris Lopez: Reporter to witness executionVictim: Donna Smith Victim: Ivy Susanna Williams Victim: Desiree WheatleyVictim: Angelica Jeannette Frausto Victim: Maria Rosa Casio and Karen BakerEl Paso man to be executed Aug. 20 for slayings of 6 Jan. 15, 1987 -- Wood is paroled after serving about seven years of a 20-year sentence for sexually assaulting two teenage girls in Northeast El Paso. Now 29, he moves in with his father in Northeast El Paso. Feb. 14, 1987 -- Marjorie Knox, 14, of Chaparral, N.M., disappears while visiting friends in Northeast El Paso. She is still missing. March 7, 1987 -- Melissa Alaniz of Northeast El Paso disappears. She is still missing. June 2, 1987 -- Desiree Wheatley, 15, of Northeast El Paso, disappears. June 5, 1987 -- Karen Baker, 20, of Northeast El Paso, disappears. June 28, 1987 -- Cheryl Lynn Vasquez-Dismukes, 19, of Northeast El Paso, disappears. She is still missing. July 11, 1987 -- Families and friends of the missing women demonstrate at the Stanton Street international bridge to bring attention to the cases. Aug.8, 1987 -- Angelica Frausto, 17, of North-Central El Paso, is last seen by her family. Aug. 12, 1987 -- Maria Casio, 24, of Addison, Texas, disappears while visiting her sister in Juárez. Her car is found abandoned the next day in Central El Paso. Aug. 28, 1987 -- Dawn Marie Smith, 14, of Northeast El Paso, calls her family to say she will not return home. Sept. 4, 1987 -- A utility worker finds the bodies of Casio and Baker in the Northeast desert between Dyer and McCombs. Oct. 20, 1987 -- Wheatley and Smith's bodies are found within a half mile of the first two bodies. Oct. 24, 1987 -- Police arrest Wood in the sexual assault and kidnapping of a prostitute. They also say he violated the terms of his parole. Nov. 3, 1987 -- Frausto's body is found in the same desert area. March 15, 1988 -- Ivy Susanna Williams' body is found in the same area. March 17, 1988 -- Wood is sentenced to 50 years in the attack on the prostitute. May 27, 1988 -- Wood marries Valerie A. Trader. November 1988 -- Wood sues police, claiming they made him an "escape goat." July 13, 1990 -- A grand jury indicts Wood on serial murder charges. July 29, 1991 -- Wood and his wife divorce. Oct. 21, 1992 -- Testimony begins in Wood's capital murder trial, which was moved to Dallas. Nov. 10, 1992 -- Jurors convict Wood and recommend the death penalty. Aug. 20, 2009 -- The state plans to execute Wood at its Huntsville prison. http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_13024255?source=rss |
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