Defendant’s ex-girlfriend testifies during triple homicide trial

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 6, 2018
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

The ex-girlfriend of Benito Valdez, who is currently on trial for a triple homicide in 1991, testified Feb. 5 about her violent relationship with the defendant.

The ex-girlfriend told the jury that Valdez told her about the homicides of Curtis Pixley, 29; Keith Simmons, 24; and Samantha Gillard, 23, to threaten her.

She said he told her about the homicides when he thought she was cheating. The ex-girlfriend said Valdez told her that after killing three people he could kill her easily.

She said Valdez mentioned the homicides about six or seven times during their relationship. He would bring them up whenever he became angry, the ex-girlfriend said.

She said Valdez told her that Michael Green, the second suspect arrested in the case, and Black Harry, the driver of the getaway car, were also on the scene when he allegedly shot the three people.

“It was a very unhealthy relationship, one that I blocked so deep inside me,” she said.

Valdez and his ex-girlfriend dated at some point in 1997 and then, after a few years apart, they lived together from 2000 to about 2002. She said she suffers with memory loss from a car accident in 2009, so she cannot recall the exact time period she and Valdez were together.

Valdez is charged with first-degree murder while armed. He was arrested in 2016.

The trial is expected to continue on Feb. 6.