At a brief hearing this morning, suspects Robert Morgan, 39, and Jorge Morgan, 24, pleaded not guilty to charges they killed Cynthia Ramos, 58. The Morgans, registered domestic partners in this county who have said in court they’re married, also face special circumstances allegations that they killed the woman during a robbery, during a burglary, and that they were lying in wait for her to return home.
Ramos was savagely attacked in her Green Oaks Mobile Home Park trailer on Aug. 6. The autopsy report showed she was stabbed 55 times, bludgeoned 13 times and strangled, according to testimony at the Morgans preliminary hearing.
Ramos’ roommate, Mary Arafiles, testified at that hearing that she saw the Morgans walking away from her mobile home carrying Ramos’ suitcase in which she kept all her valuables.
This morning, Judge Bernard Garber, prosecutor Valli Israels, Jorge Morgan attorney Eric Taylor and Robert Morgan attorney Charles Slote agreed to come back to court on Jan. 4 to see if they can set a trial date.
The special circumstances charges make the defendants eligible for the death penalty, but Israels said District Attorney Jim Willett has yet to decide whether to seek it.
Contact Tracy Press City Editor Eric Firpo at 830-4223 or efirpo@tracypress.com.
We are also sorry for this tragic loss.