Texas torture-murder case reveals violence of white supremacy gang

Michael Lynn Rogers, known in AB ranks as “Texas Mike,” was convicted by a Dallas County jury on Friday for the 2016 torture-murder of Alberto Gonzalez.Rogers, 48, identified in court testimony as second-in-command of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas in the North Texas region, received an automatic sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, the Dallas Morning News reports. 

The 34-year-old victim who was a member of a Latino gang had gone to Rogers’ home in West Dallas in July 2016 to buy drugs, witnesses testified during the trial.

While there, Rogers accused Gonzalez of stealing his wallet containing $600. That led Rogers and other AB members to brutally assault and kill the victim before dumping his body at a remote pond near Irving, Texas, and setting it on fire.

Gonzalez was hit with a hammer, burned with a hot spoon, slashed with a machete and sodomized with a broom handle, witnesses testified. The attackers then used a power tool to drill four holes in the victim’s skull, another in his chest and a sixth one in in his abdomen.

Gregory Collier, 29, and John Paul Street, 33, also were charged with involvement in Gonzalez’ murder.

Collier pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of kidnapping. He was sentenced to 10-years in prison and testified against Rogers as part of the plea deal.  Street is awaiting trial on the murder charge.

Prosecutors Tommy Adams and Dewey Mitchell said Gonzalez's murder is an example how the Aryan Brotherhood operates in fear, backing up the gang’s pledge that “people don't owe us debts … don't steal from us.” 

The violent details appeared to frighten the jurors in the case. Before delivering their verdict, the concerned jurors asked whether their names would be made public.

For added security, more than 15 officers were in the courtroom to ensure that the jurors were able to leave the courthouse safely, the Dallas newspaper reports.