Federal jury considers death penalty

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Fri, Jan. 30, 2004

Federal jury considers death penalty

The conviction of Luis Gonzalez Lauzan Jr. could lead to a death sentence on federal murder charges, the first in the state.
BY LARRY LEBOWITZ
[e-mail]

A 35-year-old Miami gunrunner could become the first person in Florida sent to the federal death chamber after a jury convicted him Thursday on charges that he hired a hit man to murder an informant against his gunrunning father.

The 12-person jury that convicted Luis Gonzalez Lauzan Jr. will return on Feb. 23 and have the final say whether he should receive life or death for the April 2002 slaying of Alexander Texidor.

''Finding and prosecuting those who attempt to persuade, intimidate or attack witnesses will always be one of our top priorities,'' U.S. Attorney Marcos Jiménez said. ``Those who seek to subvert the criminal justice system through threats and violence will face the consequences of their actions.''

Gonzalez, 35, was convicted of killing a federal informant, using a firearm in a premeditated murder and five lesser charges. He was acquitted of killing a federal witness. (snip)

Ashcroft has pressed prosecutors nationally to seek the death penalty, overruling local offices 41 times.
(snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/7835096.htm