Gutierrez may face life in prison if
convicted.
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Gutierrez may face life in prison if
convicted. |
Gutierrez is on trial, even though it was her boyfriend Nester DeJesus, who actually fired the gun.
Marrero encountered the pair on July 6, 2001, shortly after they allegedly robbed the Bank of America building on S. Church Ave. in Tampa. DeJesus shot Marrero and she died at the scene.
From there they fled into a nearby apartment complex where they took a man hostage. DeJesus killed himself following a three-hour standoff and Gutierrez was arrested.
Marrero's domestic partner Mickie Mashburn says the trial represents justice.
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Officer Mickie Mashburn says she wants
justice. |
Monday was the first day of jury selection in the first-degree murder trial of Paula Gutierrez. The 25-year-old woman was the girlfriend of Nestor DeJesus, the man that shot and killed Tampa Police officer Lois Marrero following a bank robbery on July 6, 2001.
Marrero encountered the pair shortly after they allegedly robbed the Bank of America building on S. Church Ave. in Tampa. DeJesus shot Marrero and she died at the scene.
From there they fled into a nearby apartment complex where they took a man hostage. DeJesus killed himself following a three-hour standoff and Gutierrez was arrested.
Following Monday’s first day in court, Marrero’s domestic partner Mickie Mashburn, who also is a member of the Tampa Police Department, says the trial of Gutierrez represents justice.
"I think this week is for Lois," Mashburn said. "She gave her life for the police department and the community and she did it by doing the job she loved."
Jury selection will continue on Tuesday morning and opening statements will begin once the panel is seated. The trial is expected to last approximately two weeks.
Gutierrez, who is facing burglary and armed robbery charges in addition to the murder charge, could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted.
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Marrero on the force for 19
years. |
Tampa Police officer Lois Marrero was investigating a bank robbery on July 6, 2001 when one of the suspects, Nester DeJesus, shot her to death.
Today, DeJesus’ girlfriend, Paula Gutierrez goes on trial for Marrero’s murder, even though she did not pull the trigger. She allegedly assisted DeJesus in the robbery of the Bank of America building on S. Church Ave. in Tampa.
A short time later the pair encountered Marrero and DeJesus killed her before fleeing into a nearby apartment complex, where they took a hostage. Following a three-hour standoff
DeJesus killed himself and Gutierrez surrendered.
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Lois
Marrero |
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Gutierrez, 25, could spend the rest of her life behind bars if convicted. In addition to the first-degree murder charge, she also stands accused of armed robbery and burglary.
Jury selection is expected to last at least two days.
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Gutierrez allegedly made a suicide pact with
DeJesus. |
The murder trial for a woman accused in the death of a Tampa Police officer is scheduled to begin Monday.
Paula Gutierrez, 25, faces a possible sentence of life in prison if convicted even though she did not pull the trigger. Her boyfriend, Nestor DeJesus shot and killed 19-year veteran Lois Marrero after they allegedly robbed the Bank of America on S. Church Ave. in July 2001.
After DeJesus shot Marrero, he ordered
Gutierrez to pick up her gun according to a police report of the incident.
The pair then ran into a nearby apartment building, where they took a
man hostage and had a shoot out with two officers who came to assist
Marrero.
Several hours later DeJesus shot
himself, Gutierrez surrendered and the hostage was freed unharmed. In addition
to facing first-degree murder charges Gutierrez is also facing charges of
burglary and armed robbery.
Marrero's family notified
the city of Tampa of their intent to sue the police department in February. They
claim the city displayed a willful and reckless disregard for the safety of its
law enforcement officers during the incident that led to the murder of
Marrero.