Suspect in 7 Indy Slayings

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By ASHLEY M. HEHER

INDIANAPOLIS Jun 3, 2006 (AP)— A man suspected of gunning down seven family members he believed kept large amounts of money in their home surrendered to police on Saturday, Deputy Chief Tim Foley said.

More than 100 police officers searched for Desmond Turner, including unsuccessful raids at two eastside houses, since shortly after the Thursday slayings.

Turner, 28, grew up near the shooting and had returned last fall after being released from prison following a 3 1/2-year term for drug and weapons charges.

Foley said investigators put pressure on people who knew Turner to ensure that they wouldn't take him in.

"He didn't turn himself in out of remorse. He turned himself in because he had no place to go," Foley said.

Turner, accompanied by a few family members, surrendered about 7 p.m. at a downtown fast-food restaurant, Foley said. He was booked on seven counts of murder.

On Friday, police arrested the second suspected triggerman, 30-year-old James Stewart, after a traffic stop. He was being held Saturday on a preliminary charge of murder, police said.

"Indianapolis can sleep a lot easier tonight," Deputy Police Chief Clifford Myers.

Foley said police believe the suspects targeted the home for robbery after hearing exaggerated accounts of money and other valuables inside. Those accounts were "fiction," Foley said.

Foley said that although the decision of whether to pursue capital murder charges belongs to prosecutors, "If I was a betting man, I'd say there's a high likelihood this is going to be a death penalty case."

Mourners laid flowers and handmade memorials along the fence of the modest home where the family was found slain.

The victims were identified as Emma Valdez, 46; her husband, Alberto Covarrubias, 56; their sons Alberto Covarrubias, 11, and David Covarrubias, 8 or 9; Valdez's daughter, Flora Albarran, 22; Albarran's 5-year-old son, Luis; and Albarran's brother Magno Albarran, 29.

Maria Flores, whose sister was killed, stood quietly as police briefed the media about Turner's surrender.

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