Bio

Efrain Perez was born on December 19, 1975. He grew up in Harris County, Texas. He was part of a Latino family. As a teenager, Efrain became involved with a gang known as the "Black and White" gang. By the time he was 17 years old, he was deeply engaged in gang culture. The gang's lifestyle often included drinking and participating in violent activities. This environment likely influenced his actions and decisions during his teenage years.

Murder Story

On June 24, 1993, Efrain Perez was part of a group that committed horrific acts against two teenage girls, Jennifer Ertman, 14, and Elizabeth Pena, 16, in Harris County, Texas. The girls were leaving a pool party and took a shortcut through the woods when they encountered Perez and other members of the “Black and White” gang. At that time, the gang was involved in an initiation ritual for one of their members.

The gang members assaulted the girls for an extended period. After this, they ultimately strangled both girls, inflicting severe injuries before leaving the scene. The bodies were discovered four days later, hidden in thick brush near a railroad track.

Efrain Perez was charged with capital murder alongside four other gang members: Peter Cantu, Joe Medellin, and Sean O’Brien, as well as Raul Villareal. Each of them was found guilty of their actions. During the trial proceedings, separate juries were convened to hear the cases against Perez, Villareal, and Medellin simultaneously, marking a significant moment in Harris County’s legal history.

On September 22, 1994, Perez was sentenced to death for his participation in the murders. His execution was initially set for June 23, 2004. However, the status of his death sentence changed due to legal decisions, and it was later commuted to life in prison.