Execution Date Set for Man Convicted of Killing Estranged Girlfriend and Her Son
Introduction to the Case
An execution date has been set for a Bedford man convicted of killing his estranged girlfriend and her 8-year-old son in 2013. Cedric Ricks, 51, is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection on March 11 in Huntsville, court records show. Ricks was condemned by a Tarrant County jury in 2014 for fatally stabbing 30-year-old Roxann Diana Sanchez, and her son, Anthony Reyes Figueroa.
“This comes during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, reminding us why we continue to fight to end family violence,” officials with the Tarrant County district attorney’s office wrote in a statement.
Background of the Case
According to court documents, Ricks and Sanchez shared a child, then 9-month-old Isaiah, while Sanchez had two sons from a previous relationship: Anthony and his 12-year-old brother, Marcus. Ricks had been barred from seeing Isaiah after he was accused of choking Sanchez and injuring one of her boys. Sanchez had filed a protective order against Ricks, but it expired in January.
He committed the murders a few months later — May 1, 2013 — in their apartment in the 1400 block of Park Place Boulevard. Court records say Ricks came to the home and started an argument as Sanchez was bringing in groceries. Ricks then pushed Sanchez to the floor as Anthony and Marcus tried to get between them to break it up.
The Murders and Aftermath
Marcus ran to his bedroom closet to try to call the police, while Ricks grabbed a knife and stabbed Sanchez multiple times. After chasing Marcus out of the bedroom, court documents say, Ricks held his head down and stabbed him in the neck. He killed Anthony shortly after.
Marcus was taken to the hospital in critical condition. He testified at trial that he survived by imitating the “gurgling” noise Anthony made as he died. Police were first informed of the murders by Ricks’ family, whom he called after taking a shower and putting Isaiah in his crib.
When they advised Ricks to turn himself in, court records say, he responded that he would die before he would go to jail. Ricks was arrested in Oklahoma, driving Sanchez’s car. Troopers located him using a cellphone “ping,” and said he was taken into custody without incident.
Trial and Appeals
The jury deliberated for only 45 minutes before convicting Ricks of capital murder. After stating Ricks has exhausted his attempts at relief on both the state and federal level, a Tarrant County state district judge signed the order on Oct. 17 to schedule his execution.
Several of Ricks’ appeals have pertained to evidence seized from the scene and presented at trial. According to Ricks, his Fourth Amendment rights were violated because officers entered and searched the apartment without a warrant.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals dismissed his claims, and said warrantless entry is justified when officers can reasonably assume someone inside is in need of aid. Ricks has also argued that some witness testimony included “hearsay,” some autopsy photos were prejudicial, and there was enough cumulative harm to “reverse” his case.
The courts have denied them all.
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Conclusion
The execution date set for Cedric Ricks serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence. The case highlights the importance of supporting victims of domestic violence and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the execution date set for Cedric Ricks?
A: The execution date set for Cedric Ricks is March 11.
Q: What was Cedric Ricks convicted of?
A: Cedric Ricks was convicted of capital murder for fatally stabbing his estranged girlfriend, Roxann Diana Sanchez, and her 8-year-old son, Anthony Reyes Figueroa.
Q: What was the motive behind the murders?
A: The motive behind the murders is not explicitly stated, but it is believed to be related to a domestic dispute between Ricks and Sanchez.
Q: How was Cedric Ricks arrested?
A: Cedric Ricks was arrested in Oklahoma, driving Sanchez’s car, after troopers located him using a cellphone “ping”.
Q: What is the significance of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in this case?
A: National Domestic Violence Awareness Month serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting victims of domestic violence and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions, as seen in the case of Cedric Ricks.
