David Lueras, aged 42, Lauren Phillips, aged 34, and Maricruz Reyes-Mathis, aged 33, have been identified as the victims.
The trial of a man accused of killing three people, whose bodies were discovered burning in a Fort Worth dumpster, is set to begin soon. However, the trial has been postponed and will not take place this week as originally planned.
In 2021, authorities apprehended Jason Thornburg following the discovery of the victims’ bodies on Bonnie Drive in west Fort Worth.
David Lueras, aged 42, Lauren Phillips, aged 34, and Maricruz Reyes-Mathis, aged 33, were identified as the victims.
Jury selection for Thornburg’s case commenced on Monday, with the trial scheduled to start at 1 p.m. on Thursday in the Criminal District Court No. 3 in Tarrant County. However, during a routine plea offer hearing on Tuesday, the court decided to grant a continuance, extending the trial date to November 7th.
Tarrant County may witness its first death penalty case since 2019 with Thornburg’s trial.
According to WFAA, the parents of Reyes-Mathis, the victim, have stated that she resided at the Mid City Inn during the time and never mentioned anything about Thornburg. They are of the belief that she was unaware of his existence.
Mary Hanshaw, the mother, expressed that her daughter had simply found herself in an unfortunate situation.
“I truly believe he should be given the death penalty,” Hanshaw emphasized. “Please, do not allow him to be released back onto the streets.”
