This is a photo of (left) Quiana Jenkins-Pietrzak and her husband Jan Pawek Pietrzak.
They were found bound, gagged and shot, execution style on October 15, 2008 in their home located in Riverside County. (Southern, California) They had only been married a few short months.
Police were baffled as the investigation revealed there was no forced entry to their home. What was the motive? Further investigation into this couple revealed they were two “clean cut” kids. Who would want to kill them? Jan was a U.S. Marine and Quiana worked for the Riverside County Department of Health.
AREN’T MARINES BROTHERS?
From left, Kevin Darnell Cox 20, Emrys Justin John 18, Tyrone Miller 20 and Kesaun K. Sykes 21
Lance Cpl. Tyrone Miller, 20, Lance Cpl. Emrys Justin John, 18, Pvt. Kevin Darnell Cox, 20, and Lance Cpl. Kesaun K. Sykes, 21, are charged with two counts of murder, committing multiple murders and murder committed during a robbery.
The defendants are accused of the October slayings of Sgt. Jan Pietrzak, 24, and his wife, Quiana Jenkins-Pietrzak, 26.
The couple’s bodies were found Oct. 15 tied and gagged inside their Bermuda Street home. Each had been shot in the back of the head.
“There was evidence linking all of them to this crime,” prosecutor Daniel DeLimon said outside the courtroom. “Mr. John is charged as the shooter.” They could face the death penalty or life in prison withour parole if convicted. Their next court hearing is scheduled for November 20th.
The men also are charged with an enhancement of sexually assaulting Jenkins-Pietrzak.
This story came to my attention because my sister used to work with Quiana Jenkins-Pietrzak. The couple’s funeral services were held October 24, 2008 and they are buried at Riverside National Cemetary.
So I ask you the question: Aren’t Marines’s supposed to be brothers? What do you think the punishment should be for this crime?
33 Comments
November 12, 2008 at 11:42 pm
I think they deserve to have the same thing done to them that they did to this couple. This makes no sense at all! These are four, beautiful, young black men who obviously had a promising future in the Marines. They just screwed up their lives. I say don’t waist the taxpayers money on cold blooded killers. Obviously they didn’t think enough of their own families to do something so horrible. I mean really? What on earth could possibly motivate four men to take part in murdering this couple? This world is in trouble if they even think about letting these people out on parole!
November 13, 2008 at 8:32 am
I too agree they shouldn’t be shown any mercy. My sister shared graphic details with me about these killings that I didn’t have the heart to post on a public blog. The images in my mind haunted me for days.
I think about the mothers and families of these two young people. From what I understand Quiana was an only child. I know firsthand the pain her mother feels. As a mother you look forward to your child’s marriage, the prospect of becoming a grandmother. This has been stolen from her and it was just senseless.
It’s devastation all around. The accused soldier’s parents and families are just as much affected. Coming from a military family I knew discipline. I just don’t understand this one!
Prayers go out to all these families.
November 13, 2008 at 11:11 pm
This is something unbelievable.
One thing is puzzling to me: why TV (CNN) media are not even commenting on this horrific story ?
November 14, 2008 at 7:47 am
you do not want to know what i would do to them
Polish
Do not any more lie about “polish concentration camp” which are german and always were german
November 14, 2008 at 11:42 am
R.I.P Quiana & Jan
Love :….(((
November 14, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Death would be too quick. The punishment should be slow very slow. R.I.P.
November 14, 2008 at 7:59 pm
OMG! This is so sad. All I could think was they raped her right in front of her husband and then killed them both. This world is evil. I agree with the poster who said why didn’t CNN cover this story? I haven’t heard about it.
God heals.
November 14, 2008 at 8:00 pm
If this couple was not interracial(meaning both white) then the media would be all over this story.
Since Quiana is black and Jan is german, the media dont care nothing about it. Its sad though
November 14, 2008 at 9:14 pm
I personally think it has more to do with the fact that Marines killed a Marine and his wife. It’s just like Bush not wanting the media to capture photos of the caskets being taken off the plane from Iraq. They handle it in-house, as to not bring shame to the armed forces. The military has this thing about: “We handle our own stuff.” But the truth of the matter is: WE HAVE THE INTERNET! Their story can be told!
November 15, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I was also surprised this tragedy didn’t get more media coverage. I talked to people at work who didn’t even know about it! Wow
November 18, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I am a white man and have dated a black woman before. The crap that I had to put up with was crazy. I had several fights with black guys because I was dating a black girl. Some black guys hated seeing a white guy with a black girl. The fact that these murders were men of color should be brought to light. This was a hate crime. The Sgt and his wife were killed and she sexually assaulted because he was white and she was black. If it was reverse the media would be all over it. If the girl was white, husband black, and the killers white then CNN and FOX would go on for days about the racial hate crime. This just in black people can be racist too! I am sick of this whole white guilt thing that is in the media today. Why is the media so afraid to be honest about things? Black on white crimes can be hate crimes too, but the media is too afraid to have someone like Rev Al come after them. Whatever happened to honesty is the best policy? If we can’t have an honest discussion about race issues, then how will it ever get better? To those in the media–just be honest. That poor couple deserve the truth to be told.
November 18, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Mr. Reason:
That was so well put! I thank you for saying it because many people have been saying it, albeit silently. I recall my sister first telling me about Quiana and her husband (because she worked with Quiana) The people at my sister’s job naturally were all shocked when hearing this news. One of the coworkers made the comment that perhaps it had something to do with the fact they were an interracial couple. I definitely feel the “rape” had everything to do with it.
You’re absolutely right: WE DO NEED TO TALK ABOUT RACE ! Unfortunately, every time we attempt it, it gets real ugly.
The media may not be honest, but thank you for your very honest comments. Come back soon okay!
November 20, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Racially motivated of course it was. I agree if it were a black man married to a white woman we’d heard it on the news. R.I.P. and to the family love and peace
November 21, 2008 at 7:05 am
Definitely a hate crime. Definitely the media is afraid to touch it. That’s how enslaved white people have become by the disease of political correctness. This is why we need Obama. He can call a spade a spade and the Black community cannot call him racist. Just the facts baby, just the facts…
November 21, 2008 at 7:38 am
I am a former Marine, and combat vet of OIF II. Yes, all Marines should be brothers. It seems, speaking from my experiences, that some Marines feel this way more than others…depending on MOS, ethnicity, skin color, etc.
It is of my opinion, that these COWARDS should be shot by firing squad, or hung by the neck till dead. I don’t think the taxpayers of CA should pay for their miserable lives in prison, nor do I think they should get the easy way out. It would be very nice if CA had a prison set up like Sheriff Joe Arpaio. They ought to be put on a chain-gang, maybe worked to death doing civil projects like digging ditches, breaking rocks, etc. until they are of no more use to society. Then, they should be executed.
Notice that I have NO compassion for these men. These were sadistic, murderous, criminal individuals that cannot be ‘reformed’ by the prison system. There IS NO excuse for their actions.
November 21, 2008 at 7:40 am
Racism in america…day by day samwe old story~
take a look in the us-army! you will find this separations black-white everywhere!
so bad it is, poor couple, but it happened day by day!
if someone would count count these crimes from military guys overseas…o my god…better not!
November 21, 2008 at 7:40 am
UPDATE STORY: November 20, 2008
Four Camp Pendleton Marines plead not guilty in connection to death of fellow Marine and his wife
(An excerpt….)
John, a native of Baltimore, is charged as the shooter. He is the only man charged with personal use of a gun, court records show.
His mother and other relatives attended the hearing at the Southwest Justice Center in French Valley. The news of John’s arrest has shocked the family and the people he grew up with in Baltimore.
“There is no way that you can make me believe this is true,” said John’s cousin, Kenneth Williams, 43, outside the courtroom. “He would not do it. . . . If this happened, it was because he was forced or gullible.”
Williams said John is an intellectual, raised in a Christian family and proud to be a Marine.
“He’s so book smart that he’s nerdy,” Williams said. “He’s not even street smart. . . . He’s always been a perfect child, a role model.”
Williams said he does not know much about the case beyond what he once read online.
Three of the defendants told investigators that they went to the Winchester home to rob the Pietrzak, according to court records. Miller and John discussed the idea of killing the couple while at their home, according to documents filed in support of an arrest warrant. Miller told investigators that John was the shooter, according to the court records.
November 21, 2008 at 7:44 am
there is no free press these days in america!
at all big parts of the usa looking for me like a police state! thats a fact, and i doubt, a obama will not cure that…
November 21, 2008 at 8:01 am
I did hear about the case on our local news here this morning. The next hearing date is December 15th. I still don’t understand it. The record says they went to the home to rob them. If two of the men worked under Jan Pietrzak that was pretty stupid. There’s something to this story yet to be told in my opinion.
December 2, 2008 at 3:09 am
Hi…
I’m Polish. I’ve just read about this crime, and I’m shocked…
The only thing that comes to my mind is that whole democracy and freedom of the society is an illusion…
In Poland we don’t have so many racist problems. But every such problem is stigmatized…
I’m confused that Polish media are silent also. I can’t imagine how loud would have been your media if such hate crime happened in Poland…
I hope that the justice will triumph…
Tell everyone who you know about this case, as I did…
P.S. Sorry for my english… I’ve been to USA 5 years ago, and since that time I use english occasionally…
December 2, 2008 at 7:42 am
Co za skurwiele to zrobili. Oko za oko. Zgwałcić obciąć jaja i powiesić. Bo szybka śmierć była by zbawieniem dla pojebusów.
December 4, 2008 at 2:12 am
just like the knoxville horror the murder rape and torture of jan and quiana is inhuman,what on earth is going on in your country and why are the press scared of crimes like this,not one paper outside knoxville told what happened to channon christian and now you have this, jan and quiana were a beautiful couple”i despair”.
January 22, 2009 at 10:33 pm
THEY MAY FACE THE DEATH PENALTY?
(UPDATED JANUARY 22, 2009)
When I read the article and they said, they were just kids….my thought was “they weren’t kids when they killed this couple.”
With the brutalness of this crime there should be no mercy!
January 28, 2009 at 9:49 am
“Three of the defendants told investigators that they went to the Winchester home to rob the Pietrzak, according to court records. Miller and John discussed the idea of killing the couple while at their home, according to documents filed in support of an arrest warrant. Miller told investigators that John was the shooter, according to the court records.”
When did they discuss raping this woman & brutalizing this hero; was this before or after deciding to kill them; was this before or after they decided to rob them?
Because of the circumstances, I too believe this is a hate crime…
I served in the Corps & have 2 sons. I have tried to instill in them a sense of right & wrong & to allow consequences for wrong choices which they sometimes make. If they were ever involved in something like this; I would like to believe that I would encourage them to own up to their actions even if that meant pleading guilty & accepting the death penalty. Even though doing so would be completely devastating to me as their mom.
January 29, 2009 at 6:01 am
This is an ugly case and the thought that because “John” was the shooter that shouldn’t let the others off to any lesser degree. Whether they went to the home to simply rob the company or not, she was brutally raped and they were then both killed. All of them are guilty. (How stupid in the first place to go in and rob a person you worked for. How did they ever think they’d get away with that?) It’s insane and senseless!
I understand what you’re saying. It would be difficult and devastating as a parent, but you’re absolutely right to encourage them to own up to their actions. This case surely will continue to drag on but I await the day decisions are handed down. And yes, it definitely reeks of HATE CRIME! The next court date is Febraury 2nd. I’m following this one closely.
January 30, 2009 at 2:00 am
This four killers aren’t Marines. What they did is only done by lawless cowards. God forgive me for what I’m about to say but they sure need to get the dead penalty and go to hell.
January 30, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Many many people feel the same way!
April 5, 2009 at 11:56 am
Racial slurs found in French Valley home of slain couple
10:46 PM PDT on Friday, April 3, 2009
By SARAH BURGE–The Press-Enterprise
Racial slurs were spray-painted in the French Valley home where a Marine sergeant and his wife were shot to death, allegedly by fellow Marines, a sheriff’s investigator testified Friday.
The slurs were found in two places inside the home of Sgt. Janek Pietrzak, 24, and his wife, Quiana Jenkins-Pietrzak, 26, Riverside County sheriff’s Investigator Ben Ramirez testified in a French Valley courtroom. (read more at http://tinyurl.com/c69kcm)
April 7, 2009 at 6:24 am
Vincent, thank you for the post. I’ve been searching for information on this case. With each new piece of information that comes out about this heinous crime, it simply disgusts me!!
May 4, 2009 at 8:56 am
It’s very interesting to find that not a single finnish ( and perhaps many other scandinavian) newspaper has written about these crimes. I compare this attitude to nazi-crimes versus soviet crimes (“prussian nights” etc). Just like in Europe media is telling that all ww2 crimes were nazicrimes, they are silent about hatecrimes made by racial minorities.
This double-standard is dangerous coz it could give more weapons to traditionall white-power racists. Hatecrime is hatecrime who ever is doing it. This case underline those certain people in western middle class have indeed strong doublestandard behavior.
June 24, 2009 at 6:13 am
Marines began crime spree before killings, witness says
Ex-comrade testifies pair told him details of shooting
By Rick Rogers, Union-Tribune Staff Writer
(June 18, 2009)
At least two of the four men accused of torturing and killing a Marine sergeant and his wife in October had spent the months leading up to the incident robbing dozens of homes in North County, a witness said yesterday during a preliminary hearing.
The witness, Justin Weissinger, also offered fresh details of how Sgt. Jan Pietrzak and his wife, Quiana Jenkins-Pietrzak, were shot.
A few days after the killings, Weissinger said, Tyrone Miller and Emrys John told him they and two accomplices had committed the crime while robbing the Pietrzak home.
“Mr. Miller stated that he handed Mr. John the gun and told him to ‘do them,’ ” Weissinger said.
He testified at the Riverside County Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.
Like the four defendants, Weissinger was a Marine based at Camp Pendleton. He was dismissed from the service earlier this year because of his drug use, and he is being held in the downtown San Diego jail on burglary charges.
Weissinger testified under a grant of immunity in this case. He was a mechanic who served in the same Marine squadron as Miller and Pietrzak.
Between spring and autumn of last year, Weissinger said, Miller and Kevin Cox teamed with Weissinger to rob homes in Oceanside, Vista and Fallbrook.
Miller, John, Cox and Kesaun Sykes face the death penalty in the Pietrzak case. After investigators linked them to the Pietrzak deaths, the Marine Corps separated them from the service.
The defendants are charged with beating Pietrzak, sexually assaulting his wife and then shooting the couple Oct. 15 in their home in Winchester in southwestern Riverside County.
Yesterday, Weissinger testified that on a few occasions, Miller had told him about disliking Pietrzak because of “little things around work.”
On Oct. 20, Weissinger said, Miller and John talked with him about the Pietrzak killings during a conversation at Camp Pendleton. The two men joined Sykes and Cox for the robbery, Weissinger said.
Weissinger said Miller remembered the group ringing the doorbell at the Pietrzak house, seeing Pietrzak open the door holding a kitchen knife and then using a shotgun to force him to drop the knife.
The robbers tied up Pietrzak and his wife with tape before ransacking the home and becoming angry when they didn’t find valuables that Pietrzak had allegedly bragged about owning, Weissinger said. During this time, they allegedly tortured the couple.
Weissinger also said Miller and John described the Pietrzaks each being shot three times in the head as they kneeled over a couch.
Afterward, Weissinger testified, the defendants poured liquor on the floor and tried to set it on fire.
“I think the (victims’) families deserve to hear the truth, and I feel the (defendants) should be punished for what they did,” Weissinger testified.
The next court date in the case has been set for June 30.
San Diego Tribune Link
June 17, 2009
August 22, 2009 at 2:34 am
I am from Europe, and from here it’s pretty obvious you have a problem with rasism in USA. It’s been acknowledged long ago here that black people are extremely rasist there, but there’s so much guilt in the USA, you do not allow yourself to see it! It’s hard for us here to understand that there are places in eg. New York, to which you will not go yourself if you’re white, just because it is too dangerous… Are there any such areas in New York, where the white people live, that a black person cannot go to, in order to avoid being killed or attacked, just because they entered “the white zone”??? It’s sick! Black people should be punished for their rasist behaviour, the same as the white people. It looks like being black in America gives you special rights – it shouldn’t be so in a country, which speaks loudest about equality and democracy!
Just to avoid any misunderstanding – I am talking here about rasist black people, not about black people in general.
November 11, 2009 at 10:25 am
So what happpened? Does anyone know the outcome?