Reinaldo Dennes

Background

Reinaldo Dennes was born in Havanna, Cuba, on 2/9/56. His family came to the USA in 1960. He reported that he was 5 f. 7 in. tall. He reported that his father died on 5.31.08. He stated that his mother was Mithra Dennes. He reported that he had three children: Ray, Desiray, and Christian. He reported that he was legally still married and that his wife abandoned him 10 years ago.

Reinaldo Dennes’ case data listed him as Hispanic male. His hair color was Brown. His height was 5-6. His weight was 169. His eye color was Brown. His native county and native state were listed as Havana Cuba. His education level was listed as 12 years.

His prior occupation was listed as Havana Cuba jewelry designer. His prior prison record was listed as None.

A “Personnel Profile by Reynaldo Dennes” included a first-person narrative from Reinaldo Dennes about being named “Reinaldo,” growing up and going by “Ray,” becoming a jeweler at age 10, practicing martial arts, and later falling into drugs and alcohol. He also described being arrested, tried, convicted, and sent to death row under the law of parties, and stated that he killed no one. He stated that in prison he painted every day, read every day, exercised and meditated everyday, and still practiced tae-kwon-do but “never to hurt anyone.” He stated that in 13 years of being in prison he had never had a fight.

An “Interview Reinaldo Dennes by Charles Flores” included an interview conducted by Charles Flores. In that interview, Reinaldo Dennes described his birthdate and family background, his children, and his views on religion, death penalty, books, hope, advice to young people, and other personal topics. The interview also included a statement by Charles Flores: “Reinaldo is a good friend of mine. I have known him since 2003. In that time we have gotten to know each other quite well and enjoy many of the same interests, including spiritual awakening and awareness and a love for daily meditation. I would like to encourage everyone who reads this interview and personal profile by Reinaldo to contact him. He’s a special individual and those who befriend him will gain much.”

The offence

On 1/24/1996, Reinaldo Dennes murdered an Hispanic male during an elaborate robbery scheme.

In planning the robbery, Reinaldo Dennes and his brother had set up an office in the same building as the victim to learn its layout and the location of surveillance cameras. They employed a maid to leave a back door open to the building on the day of the robbery.

The victim was shot to death as he sat at his desk inside his office in downtown Houston. The victim’s office safe was emptied of $4.25 million in loose diamonds and gems along with more than $250,000 in cash.

After killing the victim and cleaning out the safe, Reinaldo Dennes disguised himself with a baseball cap and fake mustache and went to the first floor with the intention of removing the surveillance videotape that had recorded Reinaldo Dennes and his brother’s entry to the building.

Reinaldo Dennes was confronted by an unarmed security guard. Reinaldo Dennes shot the security guard twice and left him for dead. Reinaldo Dennes took the tape from the surveillance camera and fled.

An additional account described that two brothers robbed and killed Janos “Johnny” Szucs, 44, a diamond dealer with J.S. Precious Stones. The fatal shooting occurred Jan. 24 during a robbery at Szucs’ office. Jewels valued at a total of $3 million were stolen. The robbery was described as occurring the day after Szucs had the stones shipped to his place of business, after Szucs had traveled to Tel Aviv to purchase diamonds that were stolen in Houston. The account stated that Szucs had apparently stayed late after work to meet with a client.

Investigation

When police checked Szucs’ computer files, they found that Reinaldo Dennes owed him a large sum of money and marked the Dennes brothers as suspects.

Police sources said the break in the case came when an informant called and provided information about the silencer used in the robbery, which was traced back to the Dennes brothers.

An officer, Todd Miller, was quoted stating that it was Martinez’s job to leave Szucs’ door open for the robbers and then to distract a security guard while they stole the video.

The wounded security guard recovered to identify Reinaldo Dennes as the gunman as well.

Arrest

Reinaldo Dennes was arrested after a gunsmith who fashioned a silencer for the 9mm pistol used in the robbery went to police.

Two men were described as being arrested Feb. 24 on charges of capital murder. The account stated that the brothers Jose Albert Dennes, 42, and Reinaldo Dennes, 40, were arrested and charged in relation to the fatal shooting during a robbery at Szucs’ office.

Trial

The case data listed “Date Received” as 12/18/97 and “Age (when Received)” as 41, with “Education Level” as 12 years.

Reinaldo Dennes’ first-person narrative stated that he was tried, convicted, and sent to death row under the law of parties, and he said “I killed no one.”

Sentencing

Reinaldo Dennes was sentenced to death on December 18, 1997.

Appeals

No appeal information was included.

Outcome

Reinaldo Dennes remained sentenced to death.

Other details

Co-defendants named included Jose Albert Dennes, Francisco Rojos Estrella De Jesus-Martinez.

A co-defendant cleaning woman at the building, Estrella De Jesus Martinez, was described as being paid $5,000 to help plan and cooperate in the robbery. Martinez was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery.

The account described that Szucs had traveled to Tel Aviv to purchase diamonds that were stolen in Houston.

The account included a tenant quote from 6222 Richmond: “We all thought it was an inside job,” one tenant at 6222 Richmond, the building where Szucs and the Dennes brothers did business, told The Houston Chronicle. “That is, we believed Johnny must have known his killer. But we didn't think it was one of us, here in these offices.”

The account included a quote attributed to Officer Todd Miller: it was Martinez’s job to leave Szucs’ door open for the robbers and then to distract a security guard while they stole the video.

A “Personnel Profile by Reynaldo Dennes” included multiple quotations in Reinaldo Dennes’ own voice, including the nurse suggestion: “Why not Reinaldo ? Today is Saint Reinaldo’s day.” It also included the statement: “One thing led to another , and before you know it, I was arrested, tried, convicted and sent to death row under the law of parties (I killed no one) and here I am.” It included: “Unfortunately, I did not listen to this cry to go within and seek guidance, and as the time passed, I fell into drugs and alcohol which darkened my mind more than it already was.” It included: “Death Row has provided the release (so needed from the busy and loud world of illusion) , so , in this state of oppression and denial I have found myself.” It included: “Reinaldo A. Dennes home last updates contact” as part of the scraped text.

The “Interview Reinaldo Dennes by Charles Flores” included questions and answers in a Q&A format. Reinaldo Dennes quoted or stated the following lines within the interview, including:

• “Basics.....I’m 5 f. 7 in. Tall, was born in Havanna, Cuba 2. 9. 56.”
• “Legally, I am still married, unfortuately, my wife abandoned me 10 years ago.”
• “Self doubt.”
• “Seek and know thyself.”
• “In my humble opinion, I seek to encourage others to seek within themselves the Teacher, Lover and God.”
• “Yes. The first 40 years of my life I lived in ignorance of my divine self. Nor was I educated academically.”
• “To me, love is supreme, not as I once perceived it, but in a clean pure light that is the greatest force of the universe.”
• “Death Row has provided the release (so needed from the busy and loud world of illusion) , so , in this state of oppression and denial I have found myself.”
• “I did not have to come here to find Awareness, but this was my last choice and regardless of which choice, the outcome was secure.”

No further charges, verdicts, or sentencing details beyond the death sentence were included in the provided material.