Cruz Sentenced To 30 Years For Role In Teacher's Slaying
17-Year-Old Testified Against Father
POSTED: Thursday, April 13, 2006
UPDATED: 12:56 pm CDT April 13,
2006
  Pearl Cruz |
SAN ANTONIO -- The teenage daughter of the man convicted of killing an Alamo Heights teacher was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in the Texas Youth Commission.The punishment for Pearl Cruz, 17, was in exchange for testimony against her father, Ronnie Neal, in his capital murder trial. Neal was found guilty of abducting, raping and fatally shooting Diane Tilly in November 2004. He was sentenced to die by lethal injection.Cruz, who helped abduct Tilly, could have faced a life sentence on a murder charge if she hadn't testified against Neal.When Cruz turns 18, she could serve an additional three years at a TYC facility, be given parole, or be transferred to a state prison.
Previous Stories:
- April 7, 2006: Jury Sentences Neal To Die In Teacher's Slaying
- April 5, 2006: Neal Hospitalized; Mother Tries To Spare His Life
- April 4, 2006: Son Of Slain Teacher Testifies At Neal's Trial
- April 3, 2006: Neal Missing From Punishment Phase Of Trial
- March 1, 2006: Jury Finds Neal Guilty For Murder Of Alamo Heights Teacher
- February 27, 2006: Medical Examiner Details Teacher's Death
- February 23, 2006: Teacher's Final Words: 'Bless This Child'
- February 22, 2006: Teenage Girl Testifies Against Father In Capital Murder Trial
- February 22, 2006: Teacher's Friend Helped Detectives Nab Neal
- February 21, 2006: Trial For Man Accused Of Slaying Teacher Begins Today
- January 13, 2006: Jury Selection Begins In Teacher-Slaying Trial
- July 14, 2005: Judge Sets Trial Date For Accused Teacher Killer
- January 12, 2005: Jail Inmate Snitches On Tilly Murder Suspect
- December 12, 2004: Tilly Laid To Rest With Fond Memories
- December 8, 2004: Accused Tilly Murderer Says Jail Officers Beat Him Up
- December 6, 2004: Affidavit: Tilly Raped, Fatally Wounded
- December 6, 2004: Tilly's Students Return To Class With Heavy Hearts
- December 5, 2004: Suspect Told Police Where To Find Tilly's Body
- December 3, 2004: Search Connected To Missing Teacher's Case Conducted
- December 2, 2004: Missing Teacher's Jewelry Pawned
- November 29, 2004: Teenage Suspect In Missing Teacher Case Makes Court Appearance
- November 24, 2004: Father, Teenage Daughter Arrested In Connection With Missing Teacher
Copyright 2006 by KSAT.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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