The Truett Street Massacre Raul Cortez

Austin York

The Truett Street Massacre is described by ID as when Austin York, Matt Self, Mark Barbosa, and Rosa Barbosa are found dead in a McKinney, Texas home, detectives embark on a three year investigation. And just when it seems like the murders may never be solved, an eyewitness breaks the case wide open. Raul Cortez was convicted of four murders. He was sentenced to death for these crimes. This has become known as the McKinney Massacre.

The three set out for Rosa's house on foot. Javier and Williams took one route while Cortez took a separate route. Cortez carried the .38, the .25, plastic zip ties, latex gloves, duct tape, and masks in a black gym bag. Cortez was already at Rosa's house when Javier and Williams arrived. Javier and Cortez then started to put on the latex gloves and masks. Williams noticed that they also put on black gloves over the latex gloves. Cortez carried the .25, Javier had the .38., and Williams had the .380. Williams knocked on the door and, when Rosa answered, he asked her if she had seen his lost puppy. Cortez and Javier ran around Williams and pushed Rosa down inside the house. Williams observed that Rosa was handcuffed when Javier closed the door. Cortez and Javier then picked up Rosa, took her to her bedroom, and pushed her onto the bed. Rosa's head hit the bed, and she fell to the floor.

Matt Self

Cortez taped Rosa's hands behind her back and removed the handcuffs. When Javier asked Rosa where the money was, she told them she did not have any money. Javier then asked Rosa for her alarm pin number and keys to Cliff's Check Cashing. Williams testified that Rosa gave them the keys and code. Williams heard a "pop" after Cortez "disappeared" into Rosa's room. 

When Cortez returned to the living room, the three boys--Mark, York, and Self, unexpectedly entered the front door. Cortez "opened fire." Two of the boys headed towards Mark's bedroom, while one went out the front door. Cortez brought the boy back in and put him in Mark's room. Cortez gave Williams the .25, took the .38 from Javier, and ordered Williams to shoot the boys. Williams shot Mark once in the head and shot the other boy twice--once on the shoulder and once in the head. Williams handed the gun back to Cortez, and Cortez shot the third boy in the head. Williams and Javier headed out to Self's truck, which was in the driveway, and heard more shots coming from the house before Cortez exited.

Williams testified that, at some point during the offense, Cortez had taken Williams's latex gloves because Cortez's got "busted."

Javier drove the three to Cliff's Check Cashing in Self's truck. Javier went inside and ran back outside when the alarm sounded. Javier could not find the safe. Javier told them that Rosa gave them a false alarm code.

You can write to Raul Cortez at:

Raul Cortez  999543  
Polunksy Unit
3872 FM 350 South
Livingston, TX 77351