No death penalty sought in La Placita case 

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.-There are new developments in the case of a deadly 2017 robbery of a family-owned market in Bowling Green.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky will not be seeking the death penalty for the five people accused of participating in the violent robbery at La Placita on Morgantown Road.

During the robbery, 31-year old Jose Cruz was shot and killed in front of his son and ex-wife while trying to intervene.

Jorge Santos Caballero-Melgar, Jonny Alexander Reyes-Martinez, Jose Adan Mejia Varela, Lilian Yamileth Duron and Estrellita Soto have pleaded not guilty in the case.

Despite the crime being eligible for capital punishment, the owners at La Placita said they’re happy that the death penalty is not being sought out in this case.

“Our reaction is that, speaking for everyone here, we’re happy with that. One death is enough. They will serve more justice behind bars than they will in the grave,” said Irvin Gonzalez, a son of the market owners.

According to a federal indictment, the five suspects in the robbery are accused of being tied to a string of robberies taking place at 15 businesses across several states, including Tennessee and Kentucky.