Issue 351, March 20 2025

Diego Ibarra Sentenced for Fake Green Card, Ties to Venezuelan Gang; Edward James Scheduled for Execution

March 20, 2025

🕵️^{Trivia Question}

What landmark U.S. Supreme Court case ruled that rape is a punishable crime, regardless of the victim’s marital status?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

PODCAST: 20/20 | True Crime Vault: Forgiving A Killer

A son arranges a murder-for-hire scheme that results in his own injury and the deaths of several family members. He is convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. The father of the son appeals for the death sentence to be reduced to life in prison.

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What’s Happening Now

Diego Ibarra Sentenced to Prison for Possessing Fake Green Card, Ties to Venezuelan Gang with Brother Convicted of Murder

Diego Ibarra, the brother of convicted murderer Jose Ibarra, was sentenced to four years in prison for possessing a fake green card during a murder investigation.

He will be deported after serving his sentence and is ineligible for parole.

Diego, along with Argenis Ibarra and Flores-Bello, faced immigration charges for using fake documents.

Diego has a history of illegal border crossings and criminal activity in the U.S.

He has ties to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

President Trump targeted the gang as a foreign terrorist organization.

Jose Ibarra was convicted of killing Laken Riley and is serving a life sentence.

Florida Death Row Inmate Edward James Scheduled to be Executed for Rape and Murder of 8-Year-Old Girl

Edward James, 63, is a Florida death row inmate convicted of raping and killing an eight-year-old girl and murdering her grandmother in 1993.

He is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on Thursday at Florida State Prison in Starke.

James pleaded guilty to the charges and a no-contest to others he couldn't remember.

The Florida Supreme Court and federal appeals court rejected appeals to delay the execution.

James' attorney argued against the execution due to cognitive decline, citing it as cruel and unusual punishment.

This would be Florida's second execution this year, with another scheduled in April.

🔊 Safety Tip of the Day: Always make sure your child knows how to contact you or another trusted adult in case of an emergency.

Ensure your child has memorized important phone numbers, including yours, a backup adult, and emergency services (911). Practice scenarios with them, so they feel confident calling for help if they ever feel threatened or unsafe. Giving them access to a phone and teaching them how to use it in an emergency can be crucial in preventing dangerous situations.

Cold Case Highlights

Desperate Family Seeks Answers in 19-Year Disappearance of Brandee Hope Canipe

Brandee Hope Canipe has been missing since May 2006, with her family desperately searching for her for nearly 19 years.

Brandee was known for being a free spirit who would sometimes go without contact for periods of time.

Recently, parts of her car were located, bringing a new lead in the investigation.

The family also believes they have identified the last place Brandee was seen.

Authorities are still working to find answers and trace Brandee's movements leading up to her disappearance.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Davie County Sheriff’s Office.

Brandee had brown eyes, long, light brown hair, and would be 48 years old today.

PODCAST: 48 Hours | Strange Truth

On March 21, 2003, Ramona Krotine vanished after an office party in Ohio. Her body was found in her car’s trunk, beaten and shot. Initially suspected of robbery, the investigation pointed to her husband, Jeffrey, leading to three trials.

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🔍^{Trivia Answer}
Clarence v. Virginia (1977)

Before the Clarence v. Virginia decision, marital rape was not considered a crime in many states, as the legal doctrine often stated that a husband had the right to sexual relations with his wife. The case ruled that rape within marriage is just as illegal as outside of marriage, helping to shape modern laws against sexual violence.