Jose Luis & Alonso Cruz Osorio

Timeline

• October 6, 1997 — Jose Luis Cruz Osorio and Alonso Cruz Osorio killed their five migrant worker roommates in Mangum, North Carolina, in an apparent robbery at their home.
• October 7, 1997 — Jose Luis Cruz Osorio and Alonso Cruz Osorio were sought in connection with the killings; five migrant workers were killed and two were sought, according to the Los Angeles Times.
• October 23, 2003 — Mexican authorities arrested Jose Luis Cruz Osorio and Alonso Cruz Osorio for the 1997 murders of five migrant workers in Richmond County; they were expected to be extradited back to the United States.

Background

Five migrant workers were shot to death by two brothers who were their housemates, authorities in Mangum, North Carolina, said. A sixth worker survived and identified the attackers.

All eight men had worked together harvesting pumpkins on a farm about 50 miles east of Charlotte. Each had been paid $200 before the lethal robbery.

The offence

The killings occurred when brother Jose Luis and Alonso killed their five migrant worker roommates in an apparent robbery at their home in Mangum, North Carolina. Some of the victims were shot in the head.

The victims were killed with an assault rifle and a small-caliber pistol, which have not been found. More than 32 shell casings from a Chinese-made SKS assault rifle and some kind of .22-caliber weapon were found on the blood-smeared hardwood floors of their sparsely furnished home.

Investigation

A survivor helped police track the assailants back to Mexico.

The 1997 slayings reportedly stemmed from a dispute that happened after Jose Luis Cruz Osorio was named labor foreman at a farm.

Richmond County Sheriff Dale Furr said deputies investigated and that the case involved a language barrier. Furr said he had kept in touch with the FBI and informants who gave information about the brothers’ whereabouts in an attempt not to let the case go cold.

Furr sent deputies to Mexico to investigate.

Arrest

Mexican authorities arrested two brothers for the 1997 murders of five migrant workers in Richmond County. Alonso Cruz Osorio and Jose Luis Cruz Osorio were arrested where they worked in central Mexico.

Furr said Mexico hesitates to extradite people back to states that have the death penalty, and said he was not sure they would be extradited. Furr said Mexico could try the men using sworn affidavits from North Carolina witnesses if they were not extradited.

The brothers were expected to be extradited back to the United States. Furr said extradition may be a problem because North Carolina has a death penalty.

Trial

No trial or verdict information was provided.

Sentencing

No sentencing information was provided.

Appeals

No appeal information was provided.

Outcome

Jose Luis Cruz Osorio and Alonso Cruz Osorio were charged with five counts of murder and five counts of robbery for an October 1997 shooting spree in Mangum, 40 miles east of Monroe in Richmond County. A survivor of the attack identified the attackers.

Mexican authorities arrested the two brothers in 2003 for the 1997 murders of five migrant workers in Richmond County, and they were expected to be extradited back to the United States.

Aftermath

Richmond County Sheriff Dale Furr said Mexico could try the men using sworn affidavits from North Carolina witnesses if they were not extradited.

Furr said the Osoris tried to catch a plane to Mexico from Charlotte as they fled but could not buy a ticket because they had no identification. He said they took a bus to Atlanta, where officials lost track of them.

Other details

Brother Jose Luis Cruz Osorio was 28. Alonso Cruz Osorio was 18.

The survivor was known by his last name, Benitez, and his name was given as Jorge Benitez.

Kitty Hamilton, who lived across the road from the home where the slayings happened, said:

"We didn't realize he was as scared as he was... It was more of a scream of terror. I thought he was going to bust the door down. It was out in the country and there were no lights."

Hamiltons called 911 but stayed out of sight, peering through windows.

Kim Chandler said the men were polite and respectful.

One man she knew only as Jose used her telephone to call his mother and family in Mexico City, where he sent much of his pay.

Furr said:

"I do know that Mexico hesitates to extradite people back to states that have the death penalty," and "Right now, I'm not sure if they will be extradited." "We had a language barrier. The whole thing was a problem." "We have kept in touch with the FBI and informants who have given us information about their whereabouts in an attempt not to let the case go cold," and