After being given two consecutive life sentences for murdering two men in an Austin motel room last summer, Vernon Powers and Scott Christian apologized to family members and the court Thursday.

Saturday, June 09, 2001

After being given two consecutive life sentences for murdering two men in an Austin motel room last summer, Vernon Powers and Scott Christian apologized to family members and the court Thursday. But family of the victims say they are still scared of more violence.

&uot;I’m scared for myself and my kids because they haven’t locked up everybody from the gang,&uot; one family member said. &uot;What they can do, that’s why I’m scared.&uot;

At the hearing, sentencing them for two first-degree murder convictions, Powers told his family and victims’ family he was sorry.

&uot;I know there is nothing I can say today that will take away the pain and suffering of the victims’ family and my family,&uot; Powers said. &uot;The only thing I can offer the court today is my words of sorrow and hope they can find a place in their heart to forgive me.&uot;

Scott Christian listened with head bowed to letters to letters urging the court to punish him and Powers to the fullest extent of the law. When given a chance to speak, he turned in his chair to face the victims’ family in the gallery.

&uot;I can’t even imagine how the family feels,&uot; he said. &uot;I agree. It was a cowardly and senseless act. It should have never taken place.&uot;

&uot;I know my being sorry won’t bring your family back, but I am sorry,&uot; he said.

The three men who survived the June 30, 2000, attack are still traumatized and scared, family members say. The rest of the family is still grieving the loss of cousins Juan Vincente Ramirez and Raul Pedro Guiterrez.

It has been especially difficult for Ramirez’ mother. Nicolosa Guiterrez, they agree.

&uot;You’ve destroyed a whole family,&uot; wrote Juan Ramirez’ brother. &uot;The pain is so much greater because there was no reason for it. It has been most difficult for my mother. Sometimes I worry that this pain will take her to her death.&uot;

&uot;I was his dependent,&uot; said Juan Ramirez’ mother Nicolosa Guiterrez. &uot;He gave me my house, he gave me my food. He was everything for me.&uot;

&uot;The pain I’m feeling, I wouldn’t wish it on anybody,&uot; she said. &uot;I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. What happened to my son, it’s a very great pain and a big loss for my whole life.&uot;

Power’s mother cried as the victim’s family members took the witness stand to ask the court for justice.

&uot;The murderers will never be able to pay for what they have done, but at least they will be locked up,&uot; said Nicolosa Guiterrez.

Family members came from California to attend the trial, even though it was difficult to listen to the testimony, she said.

Juan Ramirez supported his mother and brothers from a young age, family said. He and Raul Guiterrez were honest, hardworking men. The family is still struggling to deal with the way the men were killed, said Raul Guiterrez’ father.

&uot;Especially how they were laying down, sleeping, and the men came in and shot them,&uot; he said. &uot;For what? If they’re sleeping, how do they defend themselves? How do they run? How do they do anything?&uot;