A Dallas man has pleaded guilty to the murder of a Dallas police officer, wounding another, wounding a third man, and getting into a gunfight with police during a chase. Armando Juarez, 32, will serve life in prison without any chance for parole. He could have received the death sentence.
Juarez was arrested for shoplifting from the Home Depot at U.S 75 and Forest April 24, 2018. An off-duty police officer had searched him, but missed a gun hidden in Juarez's clothing. The Dallas Police team of Rogelio Santander and Crystal Almeida was called to take Juarez to jail. But before they got the squad car, Juarez pulled his gun and began shooting.
Santander was killed, Almeida was critically wounded and store employee Scott Painter also suffered a wound.
Over the next few hours, Juarez was on the run, stealing a car and leading police on a chase that included a rolling gunfight.
During the chase, KRLD news contacted Juarez's father, Ruben Juarez, who pleaded for his son to surrender.
Juarez was ultimately caught.
In December a judge found Juarez mentally competent for a death penalty trial.
During today's hearing, done remotely, Judge Brandon Birmingham asked Juarez if he was guilty of five charges, including capital murder. "Yes judge." was his reply.
Following the conviction, Almeida, who was left blind in one eye and lost hearing in one ear, was allowed to address Juarez, using a laptop computer. The two were not in the same room.
"You're so lucky that you didn't get the death penalty. I wish you would," said Almeida. "I also wish you were given a punishment like they did in the old days. In the old saying 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' If I could, for punishment, I want them to take you eye and hearing away, just like mine."
