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LAWN MOWER MAN DEAD
Killer Neal
Dies
On Death
Row
Shot, Raped
SA Teacher Diane Tilly
Tilly Watch |
Ronnie Neal, convicted in
the November 2004 robbery, rape and death
of Robbins Academy schoolteacher Diane
Tilly, was found dead this weekend in his
state prison cell, Bexar County officials
confirmed Tuesday.
Neal,
39, was inside his death row cell at the
Polunsky Unit, Bexar County First
Assistant District Attorney Cliff Herberg
said. He said prison officials notified
his office of the death Monday. (Click for
more.)
ARCHIVED IN REVERSE ORDER
THE LAWN MOWER MAN
I'm Better Off Dead!'
SAL Staff 4-2-2006
Ronnie Joe Neal -- the so
called 'Lawnmower Man' -- says he would
be better off "dead," even as
his lawyers try to convince the court and
jurors in his capital murder trial that
he is 'mentally retarded.'
Neal still claims he didn't
kill popular teacher Daine Tilly, though
he has been convicted and awaits
sentencing. (See archives below.)
In a letter last week,
written to Judge Sid Harle, and released
to the news media, Neal also said he
couldn't control his 'anger.' He also
appears to threaten suicide.
THE LAWN MOWER MAN
Neal Convicted In Teacher's
Murder
After
about 90 minutes of deliberation...jurors
convicted drifter and lawn maintenance
man Ronnie Joe Neal of the kidnapping,
robbery, rape, and murder of respected
Alamo Heights teacher Diane Tilly in
November of 2004.
* * *
Previous Stories
2-27-2006
LAWN MOWER MAN CASE
'Oh God! It Hurts! It
Burns...'
Diane Tilly As She Died
SAL Staff
The killer stood over San
Antonio teacher Diane Tilly and emptied
six rounds from a 357 magnum into her
raped and beaten body.
Still, she was alive.
As she lay in a rural field
where she would later be found, she
prayed.
The killer reloaded.
"Oh God! It hurts! It
burns... Bless this child."
Then the killer, Ronnie Joe
Neal -- the Lawn Mower Man -- polished
off the life of the popular school
teacher, as she sobbed, with stinging
slugs of hot lead.
So said Neal's 16-year-old
daughter Pearl
Cruz, an admitted
accomplice, as testimony continued
Wednesday in the capital murder trial.
Cruz turned State's witness in exchange
for a plea deal.
Cruz hinted at an incestous
relationship with her father, telling the
jury that she became angry and
"jealous" when she saw her
father rape the teacher, after the pair
tricked their way into her house and
robbed Tilly. (See previous stories.)
Cruz said Tilly was chosen
by Neal because she was "rich."
Neal did lawn work for Tilly.
Cruz said Neal
"played" Tilly.
Jurors were shown a letter
from Neal to Tilly.
This is what it said:
Diane,
just something for a beautiful lady.
Do
you like Mexican food?
Because
if you do, me and my daughter would
like to take you out or have you meet
us somewhere.
She
told me she likes you. I hope you
have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Ronnie
Neal.
More to follow
- Developing -
* * *
