Today my heart is broken. I have lost respect and confidence in the Dallas District Attorney and police department.
To know that my friend’s, Ruben Riguero (AKA, Angelo) killer was set free without even a trial!!!! When myself and half a dozen other witnesses saw Branagan Hopkins, a drug dealer that was on parole, murder my friend for no just cause!! Why is this murderer allowed to walk among us and why is it that someone with a record of aggravated assault with the intend to kill, can carry a gun and not be punished for it, let along shoot an innocent man!? When we called the D.A office to ask about this their unofficial answer was “unfortunately when a drug dealer kills a stripper no one cares” WOW!!! Here is some news..I Care!!! The police ask me not to talk to the media because it would hurt the investigation, so they said. However, looking further I find myself looking at CORRUPTION, DISCRIMINATION and PURE NEGLIGENCE in the district attorney’s office and the Dallas PD detectives.
I now will tell you the truth of what happen that night as I witnessed it starting inside Cabaret Royals after hours club..
We entered the night club with about a dozen friends. Inside we went straight to the dance floor, Angelo, Luis, Ralf, JD and myself as the others wandered around for bit. Our friends Elvin and Bo join us a few minutes later with their lady friends. We were all dancing and having a good time when I see Elvin talking to Branagan (The Murderer). It didn’t seem like there was any agitation at first, but that changed when Branagan hit Elvin in the face with a right hook. JD seeing this charged Branagan and tackles him. Ruben jumped in as well as one of Branagan’s friends to separate the fight..Ruben kept saying ”lets just calm down”. One minute later they were separated. It seemed like things would be ok, but the bouncers showed up. They got in the middle of Branagan, his friend and us, when this happened Branagan ran to the side and came back to punch Ruben in the face. The bouncers grabbed Branagan and slamed him to the wall, then the floor, while punching him and kicking him. They them grabbed him and threw him through a side door where 4 bouncers followed. He got his ass kicked inside the club, I can only imagine what the bouncers did to him outside the club. Thirty minutes later we decided to leave. I walked out with Ruben to valet where Ruben left his car. He ask me if I wanted to go somewhere else since this place was ruined and I said sure. I walked to the back parking lot where my car was and pulled out to see Rubens truck coming towards me and then turn right. I followed Ruben when I see him get out of his car and walk towards a pick up. In the pick up was Branagan. I was about 15 feet behind Ruben to his right. Branagan said something to Ruben, then Ruben slapped the mirror of Branagan’s pick up, Branagan lowers his window half way pulls a gun and shoots Ruben in the chest. I screamed Branagan looks at me and peels off. Ruben dies within minutes.
This is what happened that night. So why was Branagan set free?? The D.A Craig Watkins ,who has been under investigation by the FBI for corruption, as seen in this articles, http://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/headlines/20110713-fbi-corruption-squad-pays-a-visit-to-dallas-district-attorneys-office.ece and also this, http://www.examiner.com/article/indictments-raise-new-suspicions-on-dallas-da-watkins-actions-motives has let Branagan walk without even a trial!! What did Craig Watson have to gain by releasing Branagan??? Its obvious that Branagan is well financed as he posted fifty thousand dollars on a half million dollar bond within 24 hours of his confession of the murder of Ruben Riguero. And why didn’t the police department assigned a detective to this case with so many witnesses?? I WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS. IF YOU WILL NOT STAND FOR CORRUPTION AND INJUSTICE I ASK YOU TO SHARE THIS! I ASK YOU TO STAND WITH ME IN FRONT OF THE DA OFFICE 133 North Riverfront Boulevard LB 19, Dallas, TX 75207, ON MONDAY FEBRUARY 4TH AT 12PM TO PROTEST AND STAND TOGETHER AGAINST THIS GREAT INJUSTICE IN OUR CITY!!!!
rubenriguero 
I can’t say I’m surprised. Dallas police department is a joke, to begin with. They shot my friend multiple times because they “felt threatened” when they told him to freeze and he turned toward the voice, hands in the air. And it also doesn’t surprise me that it gets no better in the courts. The justice system as a whole is corrupt. It’s all about politics. Nobody cares about the victims. It’s all about personal agenda. And then everybody wonders why so many people refrain from reporting crimes. This is also the reason so many people take the law into their own hands….
That is crazy!!!, that guy should be locked up for life. Dosent matter what a person job is there should be justice no matter what. These guy killed Ruben in cold blood, he didn’t touch he’s heart to take Rubens life away, now jail should take these killers life away from him. Please lock him up or he is gonna continue killing more people.
I totally agree with you. Our “Government” is a joke! Corruption on EVERY level. It frustrates me to the core of my soul!. Now I see why others want to blow them up. lol I don’t blame them
If I could come down from Pennsylvania, I would be standing next to you as you protest this outrage. Everyone at Ellora’s Cave, where Angelo was a cover model, knew him as a warm and wonderful person with so much to live for. As soon as I heard of his death on September 30, I wrote a eulogy for him “Now a True Angel” and when I saw that his killer had been freed, I wrote another, entitled “Do Not Let This Travesty of Justice Go Unanswered”. I pray that you and all of Angelo’s friends and admirers around Dallas continue the pressure to bring this killer to justice.
What a disgusting story. It is sad that an innocent man is murdered while a convicted felon walks the the streets ready to murder again DISGUSTING!!!!!! RIP Ruben
Not fair!!
This is a terrible injustice. It takes away a person’s faith in the police and the judicial system. I care deeply about this and about Ruben Riguero. Tonight I feel sick to my stomach, physically ill. If I could be in Dallas I would be at that protest. But on Monday I will wear a black ribbon in solidarity. I care! To everyone be strong. Ruben is with you.
this is so incredibly wrong. I will try to be there in protest. thank you for sharing your story.
This does surprise me that DA Craig Watkins let a convicted felon go free of charge. You see if anyone is convicted of a felony they cannot on or posses a firearm without a pardon from the governor. Also do your research. The FBI is suppose to have a no tolerance law against convicted felons with a firearm. They have documented cases were they have put them back in prison just for touching a gun or bullets. My advice to you is go to the people (FBI) who police the police and see what you can get done. If you go back through the archives in the late 80’s Dallas Judge Jack Hampton gave a guy 30 years for killing a homosexual male, when they asked the judge why he was lenient he’s stated he felt about homosexuals the se way he does prostitutes. He was removed from the bench almost immediately. A yourself with knowledge and facts and take Craig Watkins down. Angelo was a great guy and I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to know him. I wish you well on your mission for justice especially in Dallas.
i will be there!!!!!! my 15 yr. old son was also murdered, took a bullet to his head by a 26 yr. old guy for no freaking reason on may, 21st 2011 and they also allowed him to post bond but didnt. i still havent gone to trial his attorney keeps postponing court date n judge keeps allowing this to happen. now its SUPPOSE to be set now for march, 4th 2013.he is claiming it was an accident and i dont understand why they arent charging him with capitol murder my son was only a child….he ran from the crime scene n marshalls were looking everywere for him… this is bullcrap… i totally understand the way u feel ive told myself if they buy this crap that hes innocent im taking matters into my own hands …..lets pray for god to be with us on this day and for there to be justice for “RUBEN” & MY SON “CRISTIYAN”
Reblogged this on karensunhumbleopinion and commented:
We lost someone special and justice must be had!
It is always terrible when we lose someone we love. It’s even worse when we lose someone so quickly and unexpected to a gunshot. Being an outsider looking in, I never met Ruben but the things I have read about him makes me believe he was a gentle and amazing human being. It’s terrible to lose someone like that in this world. But… When I just read the paragraph that was just posted explaining the entire night in detail it’s hard for me to disagree with the DA. The paragraph clearly states that Ruben left Caberet Royale and willingly approached the vehicle of Branagan where they begin to have words. Then it says that Ruben slapped the trucks mirror. Now I wasn’t there but that doesn’t sound good on Rubens part. They were just in a fight inside the club with several eye witnesses. Of course anyone would say he should’ve just walked away. But now I’m forced to read that he actually instigated another confrontation after the original fight. That’s how Branagan gets away with self defense even though we all know its murder. I just hope we all can learn from this tragedy. Walking away is the best choice. You don’t have anything to prove. RIP Ruben.
Ruben was a great friend and a true leader! This is horrible! I’m really saddened with the Dallas department! Ruben was a great man! My heart is very heavy ❤
God bless and I hope just is eventually served. If I was in Dallas I would be there standing beside you next Monday.
This is why people continue to commit crime. Not because I own guns, but because our justice system does not punish criminals for their actions. I am so sorry for these victims, and the fact that we all are responsible for electing lazy, greedy politicians in the hopes that they will take care of what’ s right, then argue amongst ourselves about other stupid, vaguely related issues. If I happen to be in D/FW I will make myself available to your cause. God bless you and your families.
Thanks for sharing this. I’ll be there!
THAT IS VERY WRONG AND I HOPE THT WE CAN ALL STAND TOGETHER AND PROTEST WITH U HE DESERVES TO BE IN JAIL NOT ROAMING THE STREETS!!! RIP ANGELO!!!!
I sent this story to NBC. They’re going to check into it.
Its so sad to hear our only protection wont even stand their ground to help us. I dont know any of you I live in Ft, Worth TX and I feel the pain in your story. I will stand with you and re post and share this story.
My mouth literally DROPPED !!This is so sad .. I am so sorry for you and all your friends not just for his loss but the fact that this man gets away with murder.. Go to change.org and start a petition you will get signatures to get the attention of Judge, Lawyers and others who have had to part in cases like this.. I pray that something comes from this trust me if you make enough NOISE the world will hear you .. DON’T give up .. What he did for a living has nothing to do with the fact that someone took his …
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If Branagan was truly a convicted felon, the possesion of a handgun is a mandatory 5 years. no parole, even if he didn’t kill anybody. the police don’t want you to go to the media becauese they don’t want the “exposure”. if it weren’t for the media, George Zimmerman would have never gone to trial. i would certainly go to the media with your story. this case reeks of injustice.
YES go to any media that will listen 20/20 and dateline are 2 major investigation shows .. Go find reports that work on stories like this.. You have to get your story heard and justice must be served for his family and friends .. My sis follows on of the top reporters on twitter for dateline and he always response you never know don’t give up ..