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THE LAWN
MOWER MAN
Suspected
Killer's Daughter
Challenged,
Grilled By Defense
Incestuous
Affair Hinted At
As A Possible
Factor In Daine Tilly Murder
SAL Staff |
16-year-old
Pearl Cruz, daughter of Ronnie
Joe Neal -- the so-called
Lawn Mower Man -- has testified that she was
"jealous and mad" after she watched her
father rape school teacher Diane Tilly.
Tilly
was later shot dead in a muddy field in Guadalupe
County. (Click
for background.)
The
incident ocurred during a home robbery in
November, 2004; and defense attorney Joel Perez
used the opportunity to suggest it was Cruz, not
Neal, who fired the fatal shots.
Not
likely to be more than hinted at is an incestuous
relationship, and the fact that Cruz bore a son
by Neal, while in jail.
* * *
Cruz was also
questioned about a deal she made in exchange for
her testimony against Neal. Perez suggested Cruz
had actually pulled the trigger.
The teenager took a
plea bargain for a 30-year-term, but could
actually be out in just a few.
Perez called it a
"sweet deal."
Cruz agreed.
At
one point Perez asked the girl: "(There) are
two sides of you, (aren't) there?"
"Yes,"
she replied.
More
to follow.
- Developing -
* * *
* * *
