Mexican national pleads guilty to Michigan girlfriend's murder

Brandon Ortiz Vite, a 25-year-old Mexican national illegally residing in the U.S., pleaded guilty to the murder of his girlfriend, Ruby Garcia, in a Grand Rapids courtroom. The incident occurred on March 22, when the couple was involved in a heated argument in their car on U.S. 131. Ortiz Vite shot Garcia in the head, disposed of her body by the roadside, and fled the scene. Two days later, he called 911 to confess, stating he wanted to turn himself in while attending Palm Sunday services at a church. The case gained significant media attention and became a political issue, particularly after former President Donald Trump criticized the Biden administration for not preventing Ortiz Vite's return to the U.S. after his deportation in 2020. The timeline of his re-entry remains unclear, as it is unknown whether it occurred during the Trump or Biden administration. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker noted that Garcia's family preferred a plea deal over a trial, which could have led to uncertainties such as a mistrial. Becker expressed confidence in the strength of the evidence against Ortiz Vite, which included his confession and the circumstances surrounding the crime. Sentencing for Ortiz Vite is scheduled for October 31, and he faced multiple charges, including second-degree murder and carjacking. The case highlights ongoing debates about immigration policies and public safety, particularly in the context of violent crimes involving undocumented individuals.