Date of Birth December 21, 1941
Executed October 27, 1999
Defendant: Mexican American / Hispanic
Victim: Mexican American / Hispanic
2 Fried eggs, 4 oz. Pace hot sauce; 4 strips bacon; 1 12oz sirloin steak; 10oz french fries; 3oz ketchup; 1 pint vanilla ice cream; 1 pint milk; 1 cup hot coffee
Ortiz
had been involved in an affair with Manuelita McCormack, the mother of his
3-year-old godson. When Mrs. McCormack reconciled with her husband, Ortiz attempted
to rekindle the affair. On the evening of December 21, 1978, Ortiz went to the McCormack
home while Mr. McCormack was away. After strangling and stabbing Mrs. McCormack,
he also stabbed her 9-year-old and 8-year-old daughters. Ortiz then poured gasoline
throughout the house and over the body of Mrs. McCormack, and placed a delayed ignition
device at the foot of the 3-year-old's bed. Before igniting the gasoline, Ortiz
instructed the children to stay in the house until the fire department arrived.
The children survived, but Mrs. McCormack did not. These events occurred in Pima
County.
PROCEEDINGS
Presiding Judge: Ben C. Birdsall
Prosecutor: Ken Peasley
Start of Trial: June 11, 1979
Verdict: July 2, 1979
Sentencing: October 15, 1979
Aggravating Circumstances
Prior conviction punishable by life imprisonment (struck on appeal)
Grave risk of death to others
Especially heinous/cruel/depraved (cruel struck on appeal)
PUBLISHED OPINIONS
State v. Ortiz, 131 Ariz. 195, 639 P.2d 1020 (1981).
Ortiz v. Stewart, 149 F.3d 923 (9th Cir. 1998).