HOUSTON: The second trial of a trucker accused of transporting 85 illegal immigrants from Mexico to the United States – 19 of whom died en route – opens today here, and the driver could face the death penalty.
While travelling between Mexico and Victoria, Texas on May 13, 2003, 19 immigrants stowed away in the truck – including a five-year-old boy – died of suffocation and dehydration.
Tyrone Williams, 35, a father of two, pleaded not guilty to 58 counts, including conspiracy and unlawful concealment of illegal aliens. He is eligible for the death penalty on 20 of the counts.
Williams, one of 14 people charged in the case, is being retried after an earlier trial in March 2005, in which the jury convicted him but could not agree on his exact role. – AFP