American Homicide: S1E2 – The Father’s Day Murders, Part 2

Release Date: October 17, 2024

Introduction

In the second episode of the first season, American Homicide delves deeper into the chilling triple murder case that shook the quiet town of El Rancho, New Mexico. Hosted by Colleen Witt and produced by iHeartPodcasts and Glass Podcasts, this episode unpacks the complexities surrounding the Father's Day Murders of 2011, revealing the tangled web of relationships, conflicting testimonies, and the relentless pursuit of justice led by journalist Sloan Glass.

Case Background

On Father's Day in 2011, the Ortiz family—Lloyd Dixie, his wife Dixie, and their son Stephen—were brutally bludgeoned to death with a pickaxe in their El Rancho home. For 16 months, the case remained unsolved, leaving the tight-knit community in shock and fear.

Key Quote:

Colleen Witt: "It had been 16 months and there had been no arrest or even major leads in the case." [02:15]

Ashley Roybal’s Arrest and Testimony

In October 2012, Ashley Roybal, a 25-year-old with prior felony convictions, was arrested in New Mexico on charges of burglary and felony larceny. Waiving her right to remain silent, Ashley provided crucial information about the Ortiz murders, claiming that her ex-boyfriend, Nick Ortiz, was responsible for the killings.

Key Quotes:

Ashley Roybal: "I wanted to come forward, and I just couldn't." [03:06]

Detective Alex Cross: "Imagine how surprised detectives were when Ashley says she knows who killed Lloyd, Dixie and Stephen Ortiz." [02:32]

Pastor John Trujillo’s Insight

Pastor John Trujillo, who had known Ashley since her childhood, provided a personal account of her transformation. From a dedicated church member to someone involved with "the wrong crowds," Pastor Trujillo highlighted the stark changes in Ashley's behavior leading up to her arrest.

Key Quotes:

Pastor John Trujillo: "She started coming to church as a little girl... always part of our family." [03:35]

Pastor John Trujillo: "I would hear bits and pieces that she was running with some of the wrong people... even to the point where she was even getting involved, doing things a little bit criminal." [04:24]

Conflicting Testimonies: Ashley vs. Jose Roybal

Ashley’s cousin, Jose Roybal, presented a counter-narrative in his testimony. While both cousins agreed that Nick Ortiz was the perpetrator, their versions of the events diverged significantly. Ashley portrayed herself as the getaway driver in a robbery gone wrong, whereas Jose implicated Ashley as the mastermind behind the murders, even claiming she supplied the pickaxe used as the weapon.

Key Quotes:

Ashley Roybal: "Because it's not right. Dixie and I are good people. I grew up with Stephen." [02:40]

Jose Roybal: "Ashley is the one who came up with the idea to murder the Ortiz's... she provided the murder weapon, her grandfather's pickaxe." [09:54]

Investigation Findings and Nick Ortiz’s Involvement

Detectives scrutinized cell phone records from the night of the murders, revealing that a third individual, Jose Roybal, was present at the Ortiz residence. This discovery further complicated the investigation, leading to heightened tensions and conflicting accounts of that fateful night.

Key Quotes:

Detective Alex Cross: "There's a lot more involvement from some different people." [07:54]

Nick Ortiz: "We had broken into their house and stole a gun." [16:11]

Nick Ortiz’s Trial: Hung Jury and Retrial

Nick Ortiz, a 16-year-old at the time of the murders, stood trial in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The defense, led by lawyer Aldous Hodge, argued the lack of physical evidence and portrayed Jose Roybal as the actual perpetrator. The prosecution relied heavily on the testimonies of Ashley and Jose. The initial trial ended with a hung jury, leading to a retrial six months later.

Key Quotes:

Aldous Hodge: "I believe that he may have had something to do with planning it or saying, yeah, let's go in and get this money. But he did not want anything to do with the physicality of killing these people." [21:31]

Colleen Witt: "It took the police nearly four years to charge Nick Ortiz, and his lawyer thought the case against him was weak." [20:20]

Verdict, Appeals, and Community Impact

In the retrial, the jury found Nick Ortiz guilty of three counts of first-degree murder. However, the conviction faced multiple appeals due to procedural technicalities, including delays in filing necessary paperwork. In 2019, the New Mexico State Supreme Court upheld his conviction, solidifying his 75-year sentence (25 years per count served concurrently).

The case left the El Rancho community deeply divided. While some believed in Nick's guilt, others, influenced by conflicting testimonies and perceived flaws in the judicial process, felt justice was not fully served.

Key Quotes:

Colleen Witt: "Cherie Ortiz called the sentence a slap in the face to her family and the New Mexico justice system." [32:20]

Reporter Alex Tomlin: "In New Mexico, he will earn good time... he will not spend most likely those 25 years in prison." [31:58]

Community and Family Aftermath

The Ortiz family continues to live on the property where the murders occurred, with Cherie Ortiz striving to rebuild her life amidst lingering trauma. Pastor Trujillo remains a pillar of support for the community, emphasizing the enduring scars left by the tragedy.

Key Quotes:

Pastor John Trujillo: "It will always stay in our hearts and in our mindset that on Father's Day this horrific crime took place... I pray we never, ever do again." [34:11]

Reporter Alex Tomlin: "Cherie's recently become a grandma. That helps with the healing process. But this will always be there. It'll never, ever go away." [33:31]

Conclusion

The Father's Day Murders case embodies the complexities of criminal investigations, where intertwined relationships and conflicting testimonies can obscure the path to truth. American Homicide masterfully navigates these murky waters, offering listeners a comprehensive look into a case that continues to resonate within the El Rancho community.

Notable Quotes Summary:

• Colleen Witt: "It had been 16 months and there had been no arrest or even major leads in the case." [02:15]

• Ashley Roybal: "Because it's not right. Dixie and I are good people. I grew up with Stephen." [02:40]

• Jose Roybal: "Ashley is the one who came up with the idea to murder the Ortiz's." [09:54]

• Detective Alex Cross: "There's a lot more involvement from some different people." [07:54]

• Aldous Hodge: "I believe that he may have had something to do with planning it... But he did not want anything to do with the physicality of killing these people." [21:31]

• Pastor John Trujillo: "It will always stay in our hearts and in our mindset that on Father's Day this horrific crime took place." [34:11]

Looking Ahead

In the next episode of American Homicide, the podcast shifts focus to the mysterious disappearance of a young woman on the eve of her 21st birthday, leading detectives to an unexpected and unlikely location—a church. Hosted by Sloan Glass, the series continues to unravel the intricate layers of America's most baffling murder cases.

For more detailed insights and updates, listeners are encouraged to follow American Homicide on Apple Podcasts and other major platforms.