Trial Opens In SF Triple Killing That Sparked Sanctuary City Debate
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - The trial of Edwin Ramos, alleged MS-13 gang member accused of murdering a father and two of his sons in San Francisco's Excelsior District in 2008, began Monday morning with opening statements from the prosecution.
Ramos, 25, of El Sobrante, is charged with fatally shooting Tony Bologna, 48, and his sons Michael, 20, and Matthew, 16, near Congdon and Maynard streets the afternoon of June 22, 2008, as they drove home from a picnic.
"But they never made it home," Assistant District Attorney Harry Dorfman said as he began to lay out the case against Ramos, who prosecutors say shot the Bolognas after mistaking them for rival gang members.
Dorfman said "four people were supposed to die," but one of Tony Bologna's three sons who was in the car survived and will testify later this week.
He said the son saw Ramos pull up alongside his family's car, give "some sort of mugging look" to Tony Bologna, and then open fire.
"The shooting was very focused and from very close range," Dorfman said. "He knew exactly what he wanted to accomplish."
Investigators found evidence that five shots were fired into the car.
Dorfman used a PowerPoint presentation to lay out evidence in the case, including records of phone conversations between Ramos and two other alleged MS-13 gang members, one of whom was shot earlier that day in the city's Mission District.
He said the shooting of the Bolognas was in retaliation for the earlier shooting, which injured alleged gang member Marvin Medina.
The case drew criticism of San Francisco's sanctuary policy, which shielded illegal immigrant juveniles suspected of crimes from being reported to federal immigration agents.
Ramos is an illegal immigrant and had numerous contacts with San Francisco police for drugs and violent crimes as a juvenile but was not reported to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
KCBS' Mark Seelig Reports:
The city has changed its policy since the murders. The Bologna family also sued the city over the sanctuary policy, although a judge later dismissed the suit.
Danielle Bologna, the wife and mother of the victims, was in court Monday and sobbed frequently as Dorfman spoke about the case.
Opening arguments were expected to continue into the afternoon.
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