SAN ANTONIO – It’s been 17 years since two males have been brutally murdered at a well-known bar close to downtown San Antonio referred to as Taco Land.
As residents celebrated the Spurs’ third NBA Championship close by, pictures have been fired contained in the bar, killing proprietor Ramiro “Ram” Ayala and doorman Doug Morgan.
The lack of these two males has had a lasting influence on so many.
One of the lads who was convicted for this crime, Joseph Gamboa, is now on death row.
For the primary time he’s talking about his conviction and time on death row, however we earlier than we get to his interview we have to let you know extra about Ayala and Morgan.
Ram Ayala and Taco Land’s influence on the San Antonio music scene
Taco Land was a rugged place, however if you happen to have been a fan of music, it was the spot to see dwell performances.
“It was very funky, like a psychedelic pirate ship,” musician Erik Sanden mentioned.
Sanden and his buddy Odie performed typically at Taco Land and have been additionally good associates with Ayala.
“He was a great guy,” Odie mentioned. “Fatherly at times and brotherly at times.”
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Since the murders, Taco Land has by no means been the identical and it has left a void within the San Antonio music scene.
“There’s lots of places to play now, but it doesn’t feel the same,” Odie mentioned.
“It took a long time for us to recover as a band and be able to just be a rock band again,” Sanden mentioned.
Not solely is Taco Land missed but in addition Ayala.
“We’re still in mourning, it’s a gaping void,” Odie mentioned.
“Nothing last forever, I miss you Ram,” Sanden mentioned.
Remembering Doug Morgan
He was referred to as Gypsy Doug and was the doorman at Taco Land for a few years.
“He would have done anything for Ram and vice versa,” his buddy and former roommate Claude Morgan mentioned.
The two met at Claude Morgan’s exhibits as Doug was a fan of music.
“He would come to our show and he would do this crazy Doug dance in front of the band,” Claude Morgan mentioned. “We all just loved him.”
According to witnesses the night time of the taking pictures, Doug was shot as he tried to avoid wasting one other coworker, Denise Koger.
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While Koger was nonetheless hit, Claude Morgan believes Doug pushing her down might be what saved her life.
Claude Morgan was not shocked by that transfer, as Doug at all times considered others first.
His life and reminiscence one by no means to be forgotten.
“A really good friend and I miss him,” Claude Morgan mentioned.
Death Row interview with convicted killer
“I had nothing to do with this crime,” Joseph Gamboa advised KSAT 12 from death row in Livingston, Texas, earlier this month.
Gamboa was discovered responsible in 2007 and sentenced to the death penalty for the double homicide and theft of Taco Land.
For the primary time, Gamboa is talking about that night time — and denying any involvement.
“I was there, I never denied that,” Gamboa mentioned. “I played a game of pool, bought a beer and left, that was it.”
Gamboa goes on to say he was inaccurately recognized as a suspect, claiming that surviving sufferer Denise Kroger mentioned the one that dedicated the crime was 5′7, 190 kilos, which he isn’t.
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Also, Gamboa mentioned he wasn’t pleased with how his trial performed out.
He mentioned that a number of instances his attorneys tried to file for a mistrial due to what he claims have been inconsistencies with the police investigation.
“If you go back and you were to look at the audio, video from my trial from the beginning to the end, you would see all this injustice,” Gamboa mentioned.
As for Gamboa’s confederate on this crime, Jose Najera took a plea deal and was given a 50-year jail sentence.
When requested about his ideas about Najera taking a plea deal, Gamboa mentioned he couldn’t converse for his actions.
“I cannot speak on whether he did or not,” he mentioned.
We couldn’t attain out for an interview with Najera — he died in jail in 2015.
Gamboa’s trial testimony revealed that he and Ayala bought into an argument and then Gamboa shot him within the abdomen.
He and Najera then robbed the place, taking pictures Morgan and Koger within the course of.
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They left with solely $200 however have been arrested days later.
Gamboa is presently on his fourth attraction looking for a retrial in his case.
For now, he waits for the day he both is granted that retrial or an execution date.
“I’m just going to leave this in the hands of God, you know, and just let him guide the way like he has,” Gamboa mentioned.
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