Women on Death Row tells the stories of women who have been convicted of murder and sentenced to the ultimate punishment—the death penalty.
The series delves into the lives of those in prison and features exclusive interviews with the convicted, as well as witnesses and officials who recount the harrowing crimes and trials of those who have been accused.
One woman featured in the series is Shawna Forde who, in 2011, was convicted of the murder of 29-year-old Raul Flores Jr. and his 9-year-old daughter, Brisenia Ylianna Flores.
In this article, we take a look at Forde’s crime and ask the question: Where is Shawna Forde now?
What did Shawna Forde do?
On May 30, 2009, 29-year-old Raul Flores Jr. and his 9-year-old daughter Brisenia Ylianna Flores, were murdered during a home invasion in Arivaca, Arizona. Raul’s wife Gina survived the attack on their home.
The people responsible for the murders were Shawna Forde, Jason Eugene Bush and Albert Gaxiola, all of whom were members of the vigilante nativist group, Minutemen American Defense (MAD).
According to reports, Forde and her accomplices gained entry into the Flores home after posing as officials looking for fugitives. They then robbed the house of jewellery and fatally shot Raul and his daughter.
Gina managed to survive the assault by pretending to be dead. When the assailants returned to the house, she used her husband’s handgun to wound Bush in the leg. The killers then fled.
What happened to Shawna Forde?
On February 14, 2011, Forde was sentenced to death for her part in the 2009 murders. In addition to her death sentence, she was sentenced to an additional 65 years in prison for the attempted first-degree murder of Gina Flores, five burglary counts, an aggravated assault count, and an armed robbery charge. (source)
At the trial, Forde’s lawyer defended her case, saying she was not in the house when the murders happened. But the prosecuting lawyer told jurors:
“She didn’t put a gun to Brisenia’s head… but she was the one in charge. Because of that, you must hold her accountable.”
After being found guilty of the crimes for which she was charged, Forde became one of only 3 women to be held on Arizona’s Death Row. Bush was also sentenced to death while Gaxiola was sentenced to life in prison.
Where is Shawna Forde now?
Forde is still on Death Row where she awaits execution. At the time of writing, we do not know the execution date.
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