By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(© 2010 Journal Group Link International)

C HICAGO (jGLi) – Illinois state prosecutors have served “notice of intent to seek death penalty” against the suspected killer of a Filipino American couple in outlying suburban Rockford, Illinois, last year.

Winnebago County State Attorney Joseph P. Bruscato’s “notice of intent to seek death penalty” will be up for oral argument on Sept. 22 before Winnebago’s 17^th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Ronald White in Rockford.

Bruscato’s assistant, Marilyn Hite Ross, will “introduce the following statutory aggravating factors during the death penalty sentencing hearing” after Omarrian T. Jones, 25, is convicted of murdering Reynato “Ray” V. Cardino, 77, and his wife, Leticia “Letie” V. Cardino, 75, in their home at 2623 Pleasant View, Rockford in the early evening of July 8, 2009.

The notice says one aggravating circumstance that will make Jones eligible for death penalty is when the “murdered individual was killed in the course of another felony.” The slain couple “received physical injuries inflicted by the defendant substantially contemporaneously with physical injuries caused by one or more persons for whose conduct the defendant is legally accountable.”

The other felony present was one of the following – armed robbery, armed violence, robbery, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual assault, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated vehicular hijacking, forcible detention, arson, aggravated arson, aggravated stalking, burglary, residential burglary, home invasion, calculated criminal drug conspiracy” or attempt to commit any of these felonies.

The notice added the “murder was committed in a cold, calculated and premeditated manner pursuant to a preconceived plan, scheme or design to take a human life by unlawful means, and the conduct of the defendant created a reasonable expectation that the death of a human being would result therefrom.”

MURDERED VICTIMS ARE 60 YEARS OR OLDER

T he murder was intentional and involved the infliction of torture and the murdered victims were 60 years of age or older and the “death resulted from exceptionally brutal or heinous behavior indicative of wanton cruelty.”

During the arraignment last April 12, Jones pleaded not guilty. But trial was delayed as there was a question of Jones’ fitness to stand trial. Judge White later found Jones “fit to stand trial.”

Jones was charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the “blunt instrument” killing of the elderly Cardino couple.

If convicted of murders, Jones could be sentenced to natural life or death penalty.

Deputy State Attorney Hite Ross clarified that although former Illinois Gov. George Ryan pardoned all the prisoners in the Illinois Death Row and there is a moratorium in carrying out death sentence, death penalty is still in effect in the state.

It was reported that Jones was believed positively identified after samples of skin taken from the fingernails of the victims’ eldest son, Reyle Cardino, 51, was traced to Jones thru DNA tests.

Reyle got a piece of Jones when Reyle surprised Jones as Jones was killing his parents. Jones reportedly threatened Reyle, “you are next.”

A very calm Reyle gave Jones a spirited fight. Jones fled and left the bloodied Reyle, who sustained wounds in his face. Reyle managed to ask the help of his parents’ neighbor, Walter Pacula, across the street. Mr. Pacula called 9-1-1.

Ray Cardino, a retired mechanical engineer, worked part-time assembling bikes at Wal-Mart, while Letie V. Cardino, a retired licensed architect, worked as building inspector for the city of Rockford.

Reyle Cardino also sustained injuries as he fought off the killer of his parents he was visiting that night.

 
Reynaldo V. Cardino and Leticia Cardino are natives of Baliangao, and Sapang Dalaga, Misamis Occidental in the Philippines. (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)