An undocumented immigrant from Mexico who was previously deported is set to face trial for allegedly murdering his girlfriend along a highway in Grand Rapids, Michigan, according to a decision by Judge Angela Ross on Wednesday. Brandon Ortiz-Vite, 25, is accused of shooting and killing Ruby Garcia, 25, on March 22. Mr. Ortiz-Vite was deported in 2020 following a drunk driving incident before returning to the United States, as reported by local media outlets.
Grand Rapids District Judge Angela Ross ruled that sufficient evidence existed for Mr. Ortiz-Vite to stand trial in the murder of Ms. Garcia. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker expressed his satisfaction with the ruling, telling The Epoch Times via email on Thursday: “I am pleased that the judge found sufficient evidence to send this case to the circuit court.
Mr. Ortiz-Vite turned himself into police at a county church after the murder. He told state police detectives he was worried about his safety and had been apprehensive about turning himself in due to potential retaliation from Ms. Garcia’s family, who might seek justice independently. When asked if Mr. Ortiz-Vite showed remorse as he called 911 to turn himself in, Mr. Becker responded: “I tend not to get into discussing if someone showed remorse or not; it really isn’t relevant in a criminal case if they felt remorse or not. I need to focus on what the person did, not how they felt afterward.
During his testimony, Detective Sgt. Aaron Tubergen stated that Mr. Ortiz-Vite told him he had no intention of killing Ms. Garcia when she stopped the car on U.S.-131 highway and asked him to get out. Instead, a fight broke out between the two as Mr. Ortiz-Vite refused to leave the vehicle. At that point, Mr. Tubergen testified, Mr. Ortiz-Vite remembered he had his handgun and shot Ms. Garcia multiple times inside the car. She was shot four times, twice in the head, according to the autopsy.
Following the shooting, Mr. Ortiz-Vite went behind the car, opened the driver’s door, and recalled seeing signs of life. He indicated that her hands were moving. He indicated in similar terms that she was still fighting for her life, and that’s when he decided to shoot her one more time. He believed it was in the head,” Mr. Tubergen testified.
Mr. Ortiz-Vite will now stand trial for open murder, which encompasses both first- and second-degree murder charges, as well as felony murder, carjacking, and weapons charges. The case has garnered national attention, even catching the eye of former President Donald Trump during a speech in Michigan. Trump blamed the Biden administration’s border policies for the murder and noted that noncitizen crimes have risen since President Joe Biden took office.