The extra security prevented any violent outbursts in Judge John Davis' courtroom Monday, but it didn't stop family members of murder victim Patricia "Patsy" Rubalcaba from letting one of her killers have it, at least verbally.
Some members of Rubalcaba's family told Antonio Carrillo, 24, exactly what he can expect in prison and in hell for raping, stabbing and burning Rubalcaba alive in October 2004.
Rubalcaba's brother, Michael, also suggested the best way to hurt Carrillo was to "take out" the people he cares about.
"All you're going to do is give him time, and time ain't nothing," Michael Rubalcaba complained to Davis at one point.
An aunt had a more succinct message for Carrillo — "You're just coldblooded, dude. You suck."
Prosecutors say Carrillo, 24, and Jesus Rafael Muro-Monge, 21, met Rubalcaba on the night of Oct. 2, 2004, when she and two friends asked for their help with a disabled vehicle. The men agreed to jump-start the car in exchange for two 30-packs of beer but became angry when the trio reneged on the deal, and slashed the tires on their car.
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Rubalcaba, 27, and her friends fled, but Carrillo and Muro-Monge later found Rubalcaba and forced her into their vehicle.
At one point, Rubalcaba escaped and threw herself into a second-story apartment window to get help, but the apartment dwellers handed her back over to Carrillo.
Carrillo dragged Rubalcaba down the stairs and both men then threw her back into their vehicle.
One or both of the men later raped Rubalcaba before taking her out into the desert, where Muro-Monge repeatedly stabbed her.
The men returned to the scene after buying some gas and prosecutors say Muro-Monge doused Rubalcaba with the gas and lit her on fire. An autopsy showed Rubalcaba was still alive at the time.
Carrillo and Muro-Monge were tied to the slaying after Muro-Monge's fingerprint was found at the scene.
Deputy Pima County Attorneys Rick Unklesbay and Teresa Godoy offered Carrillo a plea agreement after they realized Carrillo's mental retardation made him ineligible for the death penalty. In exchange for testifying against Muro-Monge, prosecutors guaranteed him a 22-year prison sentence for second-degree murder.
Carrillo testified against Muro-Monge, who was convicted last month of first-degree murder.
Muro-Monge waived the right to have a jury decide his sentence. Davis is expected to decide next month if he should be executed or given a life sentence.
Two weeks ago, during one of Muro-Monge's sentencing hearings, a melee broke out when Rubalcaba's brother, Danny Rubalcaba, and cousin, Arturo Romero, tried to attack Muro-Monge.
Both men have been banned from any further proceedings and the Pima County Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident.
On Monday, several additional law-enforcement officers were stationed in and around Davis' courtroom, portions of the courtroom were roped off and visitors were checked for weapons as they entered the courthouse and again at the entrance of the courtroom.
Prior to the start of the hearing, Davis thanked Rubalcaba's father, Daniel Rubalcaba, for trying to quell the outburst last time.
Daniel Rubalcaba explained to the judge that it's just been hard "reliving this over and over and over again."
Then, just as he did two weeks ago, Daniel Rubalcaba turned to one of his daughter's killers and spoke of the special bond that exists between fathers and daughters.
Pointing to a picture of himself and his daughter, Daniel Rubalcaba said, "I can't duplicate that.
"I don't know if you had kids, but if you didn't, you're missing the best thing in life," Daniel Rubalcaba said.
When given his chance to speak, Carrillo said he feels bad about what he did and he thinks about it every night.
Michael Rubalcaba told Davis Carrillo probably relishes the memories of that night.
"He thinks he had a good time," Michael Rubalcaba said.
