The Murder of Mario Scramuzza
For this case, I watched an episode of Kiss of Death. It’s season 1 episode 2, titled ‘Blood Never Lies.’
A loving husband and father is found dead in his home.
Background
Mario Scramuzza Jr., was born on September 15, 1960. He worked as a paramedic, and his wife Gina, worked as a x-ray technician. The couple was married for about 6-7 years before they had their son, Gianni, who was only 13 at the time of his father’s death.
Mario was once described as quiet and timid, but had come out of his shell when he met Gina. He loved being a father, and had a very close relationship with his son.
Mario Scramuzza
Mario and Gina
Money Troubles
Mario’s sister, Valerie, was the main talking head in this episode. She described Gina as very materialistic. She said Mario and Gina’s wedding presents to each other had been Rolex watches.
What Valerie didn’t know was how bad the marriage, or their debt really was. Gina had several credit cards for various things. Mario wasn’t very good at math, so Gina took over their finances.
One day, a friend of Mario’s recalled that Mario had received a call from a Nissan dealership. The call was about some plates for a new car that were ready to be picked up. Mario contacted Gina, who brushed it off.
The car was registered to a different address. She had been having a relationship with a man named Carlos Rodriguez. She purchased the car for him, as well as another cell phone, so the two could communicate more frequently.
Gina had bought Carlos several gifts, and paid him large amounts of money on different occasions.
The Murder
On February 28, 2009, Gina paid two men named Luis Rodriguez- Hernandez, and Erly Montoya-Matute, $500 to go to her home with Carlos.
The two men didn’t speak English, and just thought they would be going to the home to burglarize the place.
The three men waited for Mario to return, and staged the house to look like a home invasion.
Carlos had told Gina that he would take care of Mario. When Mario walked into the home, he was ambushed, beaten, and strangled with a zip tie.
The next day, a neighbor of Gina and Mario’s contacted her. He had large windows in his home, and had noticed some items in their home were in disarray. Gina reluctantly returned home from work, and walked in to “discover” her husband.
A Confession
Gina was questioned at the station. She was questioned about her relationship with Carlos. Gina refused to talk, until she discovered that Carlos had a pregnant wife at home.
Gina told the police to get her a pad and paper. Gina admitted to paying the men, and handing them the keys to her home.
More details later came out. Gina had received a call from Carlos before she received a call from her neighbor. Carlos had left behind his fingerprints on a beer bottle in the kitchen. Gina left work, went home, washed the beer bottle, and threw it away. All if this, while her dead husband laid on the floor.
Mario had begged for his life as he was beaten and killed by Carlos. Photos of Mario’s penis were also found in the home.
The police said that Gina thought she would be going home after her written confession. However, she was taken into custody instead.
The Convictions
At trial, Gina’s defense said that she did pay the men to go to her home, but that she wasn’t involved in the murder.
Gina was convicted of first degree murder. She was sentenced to life in prison without parole. She has since appealed her case and sentence, both were denied.
Carlos Rodriguez and Luis Rodriguez-Hernandez were also convicted of first degree murder. They were both sentenced to life in prison.
Erly Montoya-Matute pleaded guilty to manslaughter. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Gina and Carlos
Luis Rodriguez-Hernandez
Erly Montoya-Matute
FINAL THOUGHTS
I can’t even imagine what Mario’s last moments were like. He was killed because his wife was greedy and selfish. She should have just divorced Mario if she wasn’t happy. Now, her son is without his father and mother.
I believe Carlos is just as selfish and greedy as Gina. I believe the other two men were manipulated because of the language barrier. Carlos lied to them, but they still went along with it, so I think the sentences are fair.
Sources
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34445857/mario-j-scramuzza
https://www.nola.com/news/crime_police/article_7abe99b5-7f66-5490-8742-84e3a0bdfb8d.html
https://www.nola.com/news/crime_police/article_e6c58567-cf0d-5ded-968f-7763b8f47b02.html
https://www.fox8live.com/story/32397493/life-sentence-for-man-who-killed-girlfriends-husband/
https://wgno.com/news/crime/last-of-four-convicted-in-chilling-covington-murder-for-hire/
