GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. —
The man convicted of killing his girlfriend, 25-year-old Ruby Garcia, and leaving her body on US-131 will spend a minimum of 39 years in prison.
Brandon Ortiz-Vite also faces deportation to Mexico or a maximum of 102 years in prison.
ORTIZ-VITE'S STATEMENT
During his sentencing, Ortiz-Vite read a pre-written letter to the court.
“I want to apologize to my community, my Latino, Hispanic Mexican community. I am a proud Mexican national whose actions have brought great shame and dishonor to our people, our people who come to the United States and search for a better living, a dream that I have taken for granted, which has filled my heart with shame.”
He said his actions on the night of March 22, when he shot Garcia multiple times and left her body on the side of the highway, do not define who “his people are” and that he “apologize[s] with the utmost respect to all immigrants from all walks of life.”
He went on to say he apologizes to his family and friends who he let down and failed.
“I know that right now, my words hold little, if any value to the Garcia family, which is understandable as a man I stand before you humbly, full of guilt and shame for unrightfully unjust, unjustified taking the most valuable gift granted to us all life. I make no excuse for my behavior.”
He said he realizes how drug abuse and not being able to identify emotions alters the ability to make sound decisions. He admitted while he couldn’t explain his headspace that night, deep down he knew he was wrong. Leading up to turning himself in, he said it pushed him to find refuge at the church on Blue Star Highway.
“Not making me a saint. But evidence to myself that I was still human, that God never abandoned you, even in your darkest hour. It sparked this glimmer of hope, and that's something I've never felt I could have easily blown my brains out, but I wanted to accept my responsibility for my actions. After all, I am a man.”
Ortiz-Vite then addressed the Garcia family directly in Spanish. He asked them sincerely to forgive his actions and that one day they could both heal.
“Sobre todo le quiero pedir de corazón sincero y derrotado a la familia García, que perdone mis acciones. No necesariamente a mi persona, pero a esos hechos de ese día. Para un día lograr sanar ambos.” [Above all, I want to ask from a sincere and defeated heart to the Garcia family, to forgive my actions. Not necessarily to me, but to those events of that day. To one day manage to heal both.]
He said he turned himself in because he loved Garcia.
“Sí, me entregué y confesé mis hechos. Fueron por el amor que detuve a la señorita García.” [Yes, I turned myself in and confessed my deeds. It was for the love of Miss Garcia that I was arrested.]
He finished by saying he will accept everything, but no one will put a price on his life. And because of his acceptance, he is willing to die.
“Estoy dispuesto a aceptar todo lo que venga frente de mí. Pero que quede claro, aquí no va a venir nadie a poner un precio a mi cabeza. Por eso estoy dispuesto a morir. Humildemente, su servidor, gracias.” [I am willing to accept everything that comes before me. But be clear, no one is going to come here to put a price on my head. That's why I am willing to die. Humbly, your servant. Thank you.]
JUDGE’S REPONSE
The judge then recognized Ortiz-Vite has some prior misdemeanors, has been in jail at least twice, and was on probation in the past.
He also pointed out that not only did Ortiz-Vite shoot Garcia, but the shots were to her chin, left temple, upper arm, hand, and head.
“You started shooting when you were in the car, and then you took her out of the car, put the gun to her head and pulled the trigger, and shot her again. There is just no justification or excuse for this.”
After reading aloud the time Ortiz-Vite may spend in prison, the judge highlighted the severity of the crime.
“This, sir, was a cold-blooded, intentional killing. This young lady was shot several times, and then you put the gun right to her head and pulled the trigger. There is just no reason for this, no justification, no excuse whatsoever. You, sir, are a cold-blooded murderer. This is an intentional crime, and you are a danger to society. You are a very violent individual, and you need to be removed from society.”
He said with the time Ortiz-Vite will serve in prison, he should reflect on what he did to Garcia.
“Sir, I hope every single night you think about the damage that you did to this family and what you did to this young lady.”
BACKGROUND
Ortiz-Vite took a plea deal, pleading guilty to second-degree murder, carjacking, carrying a concealed weapon and felony firearm in relation to Garcia's death.
Ortiz-Vite will serve a minimum of 39 years, and up to 102 years, in prison for the charges.
He was sentenced to two years in prison for felony firearms and a minimum of 37 years for second-degree murder. Those two sentences will be served consecutively.
He was also sentenced to 20 to 80 years for carjacking and three to five years for carrying a concealed weapon. Those sentences will be served concurrently while he is serving time for the previous two convictions.
Ortiz-Vite may also face deportation after serving his sentence.
It was discovered during the investigation that Ortiz-Vite had been in the country illegally. He was previously approved for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and was deported in 2020. It is not clear when he reentered the U.S.
Garcia was killed on March 22. Her body was found by police around 11:35 p.m. on US-131 after she was shot by Ortiz-Vite multiple times and left on the freeway.
Investigators later found Garcia's car in a residential area north of the South Haven area. The car had bullet holes and suspected blood stains inside.
Two days after Garcia's death, Ortiz-Vite called 911 from a church in Allegan County and confessed to killing her, leaving her body and taking her car. He was found with blood on his clothes.
Garcia was laid to rest in March. You can read her obituary here.