Mexican Mafia members could have death penalty

June 15, 2006 — Prosecutors are expected to announce whether they will seek the death penalty against three reputed Mexican Mafia gang members at hearing later this month.

A special grand jury this week upgraded charges to capital murder against three of the 10 alleged gang members accused in the 2003 killing of Jo Ann Chavez of Harlingen.

During a status hearing Wednesday in the 197th District Court, Judge Migdalia Lopez said she will hold a pre-trial conference June 27 in Raymondville.