Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 12, 1994                   TAG: 9411180044
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HOUSTON                                 LENGTH: Medium

VICTIMS' FATHERS GET DAY IN COURT

Over objections from defense lawyers, two grieving fathers lashed out in court Tuesday at the gang members who raped and killed their teen-age daughters.

``We live for the day that you die,'' a tearful Randy Ertman said after the three defendants were sentenced to death. ``You are baby-killers.''

As the last of the three was being led from the packed courtroom, Ertman told him, ``I'll watch you die, boy.''

The fathers were allowed to confront their daughters' killers under a Texas law that allows victims or their surviving relatives to speak at sentencing.

Such courtroom confrontations stem from the growing victims' rights movement of the past several years. Thirty-five states permit victims to speak at sentencing, according to the Arlington, Va.-based National Victims' Center.

Five other states allow statements from victims to be read at sentencing.

``There are a lot of social issues that we deal with in criminal justice, psychological needs of society,'' said Sandra Guerra, an assistant professor of law at the University of Houston. ``I think it is appropriate to use the courtroom to a limited extent.''

Efrain Perez, 18; Raul Villarreal, 18; and Joe Medellin, 19, showed no emotion during the fathers' speeches Tuesday. They were convicted last month.

Two other gang members, Peter Cantu and Derrick Sean O'Brien, both 19, already were sentenced to die. A sixth defendant, Vinny Medellin, got 40 years because he was a juvenile.

After the hearing, a shouting and shoving match erupted in the hallway between relatives from both sides. No one was hurt.