Sul Ross Hosts Two High-Profile Murder Cases

By Gisselle Rueda, Skyline Reporter

ALPINE- For the first time in school history, Sul Ross State University hosted oral arguments in two high-profile cases, both of which may have violated the alleged perpetrators constitutional rights, before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. 

The cases, Otis Tyrone Mckane v. The State of Texas and Aaron Rayshan Wells v. The State of Texas, presented complex legal questions with federal repercussions.  

The McKane appeal, like every death penalty case in Texas, is reviewed by the Court of Criminal Appeals. Texas, which has executed 598 people so far this year, leads the nation in capital punishment by a factor of almost five. Oklahoma and Virginia, with just over 100 executions in 2024, follow far behind Texas. 

Mckane is currently on death row because of a conviction for an execution-style shooting he carried out on a police officer during a routine traffic stop. This case raised questions about the admissibility of statements Mckane made during his booking process prior to having his rights under the Miranda law, which guarantees a defendants’ rights to remain silent and to have counsel present. 

The Rayshan case, in which the underlying crime is a killing, focuses on the right to privacy guaranteed under the US Constitution. Investigators solved the case and arrested Rayshan by employing a digital strategy called geo-fencing that helps locate someone’s cell phone. The Court of Appeals is examining whether his right to privacy under the 4th Amendment of the Constitution was violated. 

The Sul Ross Pre-Law Association invited students to partake in these arguments which provided opportunity and experience for them. Victoria Martinez, SRSU student and Pre-Law Association member, seized the opportunity to be a timekeeper. Martinez said she gained valuable experience and felt reassured by the judges' candid discussions about their personal career struggles during the professional panel. 

“I found it refreshing to hear these judges talk about overcoming some of their personal challenges,” Martinez said.  

The judges will continue their deliberations in Austin. Final resolutions could take as long as several years.