Former Border Patrol agent Juan David Ortiz is on trial for the murder of four women in a 2018 12-day killing spree. The ex-officer has been accused of killing the prostitutes. Another woman claims she escaped the suspected serial killer. And Erica Pena is the star witness against him, at his trial.

Ortiz was arrested on September 15. And was charged with capital murder. 

Ortiz confessed to the killings after being questioned at length by investigators. He admitted he knew three of the women. He said he picked them up on San Bernardo Avenue. And they would take drugs and have sex with him.

His trial is being held in Bexar County after a change of venue from Laredo, Texas due to the amount of publicity surrounding the case.

State District Judge Oscar J. Hale Jr. is presiding in the Bexar County Court at Law No. 5.

Suspected serial killer pleads not guilty

Webb County Chief District Attorney Marisela Jacaman questioned Medical Examiner Dr. Corinne Stern. And photos of the four murdered women became evidence in the trial.

Toxicology tests were conducted and determined that “all four tested positive for cocaine, heroin, or Xanax,” according to Dr. Stern.

Family members were openly crying as the doctor detailed the victims’ causes of death. Melissa Ramirez, 29, Claudine Anne Luera, and Janelle Ortiz a 28-year-old transgender woman were all shot to death. The shocking autopsy photos show each of them shot in the head and neck. 

Guiselda Alicia Hernandez, 35 was also shot in the neck but died of blunt-force trauma to the head. The Medical Examiner was unable to identify her murder weapon. But the gun believed to have been used in the killings was presented into evidence on Monday.

The photographs were so graphic that a juror passed out at the sight.

Fellow jurors rushed over to aid the unconscious man who was examined by the medical examiner. He did not require additional treatment. And was later excused from the jury and replaced by an alternate.

There were initially 15 jurors, including three alternates. This leaves the jury panel with 14, including two alternates. 

Ortiz is pleading not guilty.