Funeral Held For 6 Of 7 Killed In Home

INDIANAPOLIS -- A funeral Mass for six of the seven relatives slain in Indianapolis last week was held Wednesday in Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral near downtown.

Caskets were placed in front of the church for the bilingual service honoring Emma Valdez, 46; her sons David Covarrubias, 8, Alberto Covarrubias, 11, and Magno Albarran, 29; her daughter, Flora Albarran, 21; and Flora Albarran's son, Luis Albarran, 5.

---

Video: Funeral Held Wednesday
Slideshow: Pictures From Funeral

---

Those six and the Covarrubias boys' father, Alberto Covarrubias, 56, were fatally shot June 1 in a home at 560 N. Hamilton Ave. A funeral for the elder Alberto Covarrubias was held in St. Mary Catholic Church on Tuesday.

During Wednesday's Mass, the Rev. Michael O'Mara called the victims "a loving family -- immigrants looking for a better life, feeling safe in their own home."

"In their faith, they kept moving forward with one eye on God and the other on each other, even as their lives were taken in that night of terror when evil struck them," O'Mara said.

Valdez still has family in Mexico. Her relatives plan to send her body and those of her children and grandchild to Mexico. The bodies could be sent June 17, after the Mexican government approves the appropriate paperwork.

With Prosecutor Present, Priest Preaches Against Death Penalty

With the Marion County prosecutor sitting before him, O'Mara said consolation and faith, not revenge, would comfort those who packed the cathedral Wednesday.

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

Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi, who is seeking the death penalty against the man authorities say was the primary gunman in the slayings, was among about 1,000 people who attended the funeral.

"May our response not be hate or to practice more death, even for those who have carried out this violence," the Rev. Michael O'Mara said during his homily as Indianapolis Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein looked on.

O'Mara said after the service that he did not know the prosecutor attended the funeral, but stood by his remarks as reflecting Roman Catholic teaching against the death penalty.

"This is our belief. Death is not the answer to death. It's not going to bring these people back," O'Mara said.

A spokesman for Brizzi said the prosecutor would have no comment on O'Mara's homily.

Murder and other charges were filed Tuesday against Desmond Turner, 28, and James Stewart, 30, each of whom were arrested within 48 hours of the killings.

Brizzi said Tuesday that he would seek the death penalty against Turner, and keep capital punishment as an option for Stewart.

Police said they believe Turner and Stewart killed the relatives during a robbery at the house, allegedly acting on a false rumor that they would find large amounts of cash and cocaine there.