Death Penalty To Be Sought Against Suspect In 7 Slayings

INDIANAPOLIS -- Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi said Sunday he will seek the death penalty against a man police said is the main suspect in the shooting deaths of seven members of an Indianapolis family.

Brizzi plans to seek the death penalty for 28-year-old prison parolee Desmond Turner, who surrendered to police at a fast-food restaurant Saturday evening.

The crime -- in which three boys and four adults were fatally shot inside an east-side Indianapolis home on Thursday night -- "really does scream out for the death penalty," Brizzi said.

"This is something that is a terrorist, cowardly act, taking the lives of these family members, especially these children, in the way that it was done," said Brizzi, who spoke with the victims' relatives at a vigil outside the victims' home on Sunday.

Brizzi has yet to announce whether he will seek capital punishment for a second suspect, 30-year-old James Stewart, who was arrested during a traffic stop Friday and is being held on preliminary murder charges.

Turner is being held on seven counts of murder, seven counts of felony murder and one charge of robbery.

Brizzi said he plans to ask a judge on Monday to order Turner held for 72 hours. Formal charges likely would be filed Tuesday.

Indianapolis Deputy Police Chief Tim Foley said Saturday that police believe Turner and Stewart were the only ones involved in Thursday night's shootings at 560 N. Hamilton Ave. Authorities said they believe robbery was the motive -- an acquaintance had told Turner that he would find valuables there, police said. Information on whether anything was taken wasn't available.

Investigators had said information from at least one witness led them to believe Turner was involved. Police said they believe Turner, armed with a rifle, killed most, if not all, of the seven.

The shooting victims included (from left): David Covarrubias; the elder Alberto Covarrubias; Luis Albarran; Emma Valdez; and the younger Alberto Covarrubias. SEVEN RELATIVES SLAIN 6/21: Police Release 911 Calls 6/8: Suspect Withdraws Speedy-Trial Request 6/7: Funeral Held For 6 Of 7 Victims 6/7: Trial Date Set 6/6: Death Penalty Sought Against 1 Suspect 6/5: Affidavit: Suspect Announced Plans To Kill 6/4: Prosecutor To Seek Death Penalty 6/3: Suspect In 7 Slayings Surrenders 6/3: Suspect Not Found In Morning SWAT Search 6/2: Police Miss One Suspect, Arrest Another 6/2: Massacred Family Members Described As Good Neighbors 6/2: Suspect Named In Slayings Of 3 Boys, 4 Adults Video & Slideshows Slideshow: Pictures Of Victims, Crime Scene 6/7: Funeral Held For 6 Of 7 Victims 6/6: Prosecutor Announces Charges 6/6: Site Of Killings 'House Of Horrors,' Prosecutor Says 6/5: Affidavit: Suspect Claimed Victim Pulled Gun 6/4: 7 Slain Relatives Mourned Outside Home 6/3: Suspect In 7 Slayings Surrenders 6/3: Police Press Conference: Suspect Surrenders 6/2: Police Miss One Suspect, Arrest Another 6/2: Community Reacts To Killings 6/2: Killings Evoke Memories Of '81 Murders 6/2: Seven Relatives Slain In Indianapolis House

Among those slain Thursday night were Alberto Covarrubias, 56; Emma Valdez, 46; and their sons Alberto Covarrubias, 11, and David Covarrubias, who was 8 or 9.

Also killed were Valdez's two adult children, Flora Albarran, 22, and Magno Albarran, 29; and Flora Albarran's son, Luis Albarran, 5.

Police said that through Stewart's arrest on Friday, investigators found what they believe could be substantial forensic evidence in the slayings case. Authorities said tips led them to suspect Stewart in the case.

With Suspects In Custody, Community Mourns Seven

On Sunday, friends, relatives and other people mourned the seven victims at the family's church and in a gathering outside their home.

Part of Hamilton Avenue was closed to traffic Sunday evening as about 400 people -- including Mayor Bart Peterson and other community leaders -- attended a bilingual memorial service outside the house. Some stood on sidewalks and porches; others sat in chairs set up in the street in front of the home.

Earlier, during Sunday Mass at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, a pew was kept empty, save for seven roses that were put there to symbolize the victims. The seven had attended the church.

"They would sit across from me," Margeurite Herrera, a family friend, told 6News' Tanya Spencer. "To look over there and see it empty, it hurts. It really does. It hurts."

The younger Alberto Covarrubias and his brother, David, had recently received their First Communion at the church. Herrera and other parishioners were struggling to understand that the family wouldn't be back.

"We can't get over it," Herrera said. "I've cried where I can't cry anymore. And my solution is prayer."

Funeral Services Set

A funeral Mass for the elder Alberto Covarrubias will be held at noon Tuesday at St. Mary Catholic Church, 317 N. New Jersey St. Burial will follow at Washington Park Cemetery East. Viewing will be held at Crown Hill Funeral Home on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m.

A funeral Mass for the rest of the slain relatives is scheduled for Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, 1347 N. Meridian St. Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers are handling arrangements.