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Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009 | 3:10 p.m.
Sun archives
- Teens charged in teacher’s death indicted (2-11-09)
- Hearing delayed for teens accused in choir teacher’s death (1-26-2009)
- Teens charged in teacher’s death appear in court (1-8-2009)
- Tears, emotions flow at memorial for Basic High teacher (1-8-2009)
- Teen arrested in teacher’s death to be tried as an adult (1-7-2008)
- Students sing in memory of slain choir teacher (1-7-2008)
- Hearing for man accused of killing choir teacher delayed (1-6-2009)
- Basic High students return to classes, subdued, after teacher’s slaying (1-5-2009)
- Brothers arrested in death of high school teacher (12-24-2008)
- Man found dead in Henderson home (12-23-2008)
The two teenagers accused of killing Basic High School choir teacher Matthew Cox pleaded not guilty today during an arraignment in District Court.
Jose Delatorre, 18, and Juan Aguirre, 17, each face six charges including murder, robbery, burglary and kidnapping in the death of Cox on Dec. 22. A jury trial was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 9.
Both were arrested by Henderson Police on Dec. 23, and Aguirre is being tried as an adult. They are being held at Clark County Detention Center without bail.
Family members of both defendants were present at today’s arraignment, although none would comment on the case. Delatorre’s attorney, Andrea Luem, described her client as a young man who is “scared.”
“It’s premature for me to discuss the case, but eventually the public will know what really happened that night,” Luem said.
Delatorre and Aguirre were picked up by Cox on Dec. 22 and taken back to his house, where they played video games, according to police reports.
After a while, the 32-year-old Cox drove the two back to their home in downtown Las Vegas. Aguirre later told police that when they stopped in front of the home, Delatorre struck Cox in the head and they both choked the teacher, according to police reports.
Police allege the brothers drove Cox’s 2007 Volkswagen back to Cox’s Henderson home, where they left his body on a sofa, and stole a laptop computer, an iPod, DVDs and a Wii console from the home.
Aguirre told police, according to the statement, that he and Delatorre wanted to rob Cox and did not mean to kill him.
Jeff O’Brien can be reached at 990-8957 or jeff.obrien@hbcpub.com.
I wouldn't want to try and defend this case. Even if some doubt can be raised (which is possible without any witnesses), all signs are pointing to the culpability of accused. It will likely be pled out before November 9.
This makes me so mad and so sick inside. Those two are lying about Mr Cox. If they only wanted to rob him then why didn't they just wait until he had left for his trip home? Why did they rob him at all? If he had done what the boys are claiming then why did they stay in the house and ride all the way back to Jose's moms house and then do something? Why didn't they just call someone to come and get them or why didn't they leave and just walk away or call and report him?
I'm sorry, but how can anyone believe a single word those two say? What's really sad and totally not fair is that Mr Cox isn't here to set the record straight! Those two make me sick! I hope and pray they never see a day of freedom for the rest of their lives.
ps. How can Juan say they didn't mean to kill Mr Cox when they literally choked the life out of him for 10 minutes!?!? Are they that stupid that they don't know if you choke someone for that long they die? If it was such an accident, then why didn't they call 911 right after it happened and tell the police their story then and there. But no, they left the scene after taking stuff and then went on with their lives like they had done nothing wrong. They had over 24 hours to get their lies and stories straight. They don't deserve an ounce of compassion.
The really sad part is that now the victims name will be dragged thru the mud and he will be made out to be some kind of sexual predator who tried to 'hit on' these boys. Very sad indeed - I just hope the jury is smart enough to see thru the smoke screen.
I sat back and haven't written anything. I had hoped that Mr. Cox's reputation would be vindicated as time went on. It has not! I must have watched one too many CSI episodes where everything ends in one neat package.
The public defender said that we will know "what really happened". Will we ever hear the truth. We only get to hear what the brothers have to say and anything that is said on Matt's behalf is hear say. The brothers story doesn't make sense.
Their mother, who took Mr. Cox' car to a parking lot of a casino is not being charged for her part in the crime (because she was helping her children get away with murder). Not for obstruction of justice, not for tampering with evidence, and not for accessory to murder after the fact.
I was stunned when the accusation first came out. Why would Mr. Cox through away his whole past, present, and future to these two. Then, the Journal printed the piece quoting Matt's friend which was "yellow journalism" at it's finest. The news stations and other newspapers didn't check on the facts for accuracy and added their own embellishments.
The brothers are known liars, self admitted thieves, and murders. Now they claim to be innocent while dragging the victim through the mud. They took away his life and his reputation.
Please tell me, when does the victim get justice?
Niteowl: In the future I hope that you never, "sit back and say nothing," because you are a brilliant writer and we need to hear what you have to say. I was also mortified over the Matt Cox story because these two men (and I use the term loosely) make so many claims that don't add up. First of all they use the "Gay" card and try to play on publics issues with homosexuality and secondly, they try and use melodrama to ensure public sympathy. For example, they say that on the night they killed him there was some kind of sexual reference in the bedroom upstairs, while Matt was packing. Why on earth would they stay in the house even for one minute if they were so disgusted by the alleged sexual pass? I have had men make passes at me before and I can tell you that if I was uncomfortable, I would make a beeline for the door.
Thirdly, The man that was "Matt's friend" sounds more like a Frenemy to me. Why would he make a comment like that about his friend?
Owl: When this whole incident first came out I was outraged that such a thing could happen to such a great man and now I am so saddened because more people are not outraged. Thank you for your post. P.S. One of the teachers at my school are sending Matt's beloved cats back to his parents and my eyes teared up when I thought about how much Matt was loved in Nevada and how much he will be missed.
Starrynite-My main concern is that I might say or do something that would help the Brothers in their defense.
It wasn't Matt's friend that made reference to a relationship with a student. It was the newspaper. Then, other papers and news media picked up on the story and used it like it was the truth. All the media has to say is, "it was a print error or a typo" and they are not accountable for what they have said about someone in an article (truth or not).
I also worry about Mr. Cox' family with the upcoming trial in November. They have been through so much already.
The defense attorney said that we will hear the whole story from the Brother's point of view. I take this to mean trashing Mr. Cox' name again.
Mr. Cox did care a great deal about his students and what he taught them. He wanted to teach them to be responsible individuals while learning to appreciate music. He wanted them to be a success after high school as well.
I know he would have hated to have his name linked to may have, or might have in any accusation. He was a good guy!