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Zappata and the Gits Find Closure
from: thecelebritycafe.com
by Carolina Taylor
Fisherman Snagged on Murder Charges
It's been 10 years in coming, but justice may finally be served. Cuban native, Jesus Mezquia will be tried for the alleged murder of Mia Zapata, lead singer for the grunge band, The Gits. This ends a 10-year hiatus and search into the gruesome, mysterious murder of the lead vocalist for the new to the scene, '90s band, that described themselves as "anti-social, but with an uncompromising vision." There will finally be closure for the remaining members of that band, guitarist, Joe Spleen, bass player, Matthew Dresdner, and drummer, Steve Moriarty, as well as fans who have faithfully continued to send in leads for years. The case of Mezquia, whose DNA was found in the form of saliva samples taken from the victim, will be heard in a Seattle courtroom and jury selection has just begun. Opening statements begin Monday, March 15th, for the 48-year-old fisherman who was charged last January with 27-year-old Zapata's murder. Moriarty shared with dedicated fans, "After 11 years of waiting for this moment it is hard to believe some semblance of justice may be achieved." For years, the member was quoted as being "deeply saddened" by the dead-end police had reached. However, he has also shared that "there is solid evidence to support the prosecution." Moriarty told fans at the opening of jury selection this week that he was "confident that the King County prosecutors are extremely competent and dedicated to winning this case." Mezquia's arrest brought back memories that the family, friends, and fellow musicians would rather forget. "This has brought back quite a lot, but we still miss her and are glad we can finally have some answers," a family friend was quoted as saying.
Mezquia, a convicted felon, had his DNA samples entered into a national database, after his burglary charge. As the case into Mia Zapata's murder was still open, even after all these years, there was a match to DNA samples that were found on her body. Mezquia was consequently arrested in Florida and three months later he was extradited to Washington, where the murder took place, and arraigned in Seattle last April for the slaying. He has pleaded not guilty and insists he never met, knew, or murdered Zapata. However, DNA tells a different story. King County Senior Deputy Prosecutor, Steve Fogg, told reporters, "The DNA evidence is powerful, pivotal and compelling evidence."
In pre-trial motions during the beginning of March, Mezquia's defense team fought to have DNA evidence thrown out, but Judge, Sharon Armstrong, ruled the DNA evidence was collected and legally verified in Florida and Washington. In the same ruling, she found that neither Zapata's diary nor references to her romantic life would be admitted as evidence or used at trial. This is a huge victory for the prosecution, as early in the 10-year-old case, rumors started circulating about the alleged promiscuity of the victim. If admitted, this could be used as evidence of multiple suspects.
The Gits were founded in Ohio, but headed to the Pacific Northwest in 1989. They shared stage time and were linked briefly with acts like Nirvana, but they were not part of the phenomena that put Seattle on the national grunge map. A band famous for not selling out, they toured Europe without the aid of a booking agent or record label and were beloved by fans for staying true to their "punk" roots. Die-hard fans heralded Zapata as an outspoken feminist. Critics of the newly-emerging singer said she had tremendous creative energy, not only in music, but also in art and fiction. Her unique and varied style seemed to meld jazz blue and punk into a mix that was just getting the band real exposure. They were quoted as striving to still maintain that socially-aware climate in their songs and lyrics. The group admits it has never been the same since Zapata's death. "When people twice my age and half my age can relate to us, we must be doing something right," Zapata told reporters shortly before her death, "I try to make my lyrics a universal thing that relate to people. If a show has people talking and if they come back, we know we are on the right track." Her ability to keep a crowd energized, made her murder a shocking and sensational headline.
At the time of Zapata's murder, the band was in conflict within itself and with its career path. Although the group's unwillingness to give in to the mainstream may have delayed their fame or bookings, things were just starting to look promising. They were finishing their second album and preparing to go on another European tour, this time with some backing. Then, on the evening of July 6th, 1993, the band's dreams and a nation's look into a young woman's poetic fancies, were forever taken away.
That evening, Zapata and friends were ironically at the Comet Tavern, raising a glass in memory of a fellow musician's death. She stayed with a friend, at their apartment until about 2 a.m. She left to hail a cab, but just an hour and 20 minutes later, authorities found her raped, beaten and strangled with the chord of her own sweatshirt. Police, at first, suspected the killing might be a religious one because her body was splayed in cross formation, but they also knew it was more than likely that the killer was a total stranger.
Prosecutor Fogg is now saying that there is more than enough evidence to prove that Mezquia was in close proximity to the crime scene. Police can prove he was a resident of Seattle from 1992 to 1994 and lived alone just minutes from where the murder took place. He was also accused of indecent exposure in a complaint filed against him only five weeks after the murder. Prosecutors say, couple that with the information on that same police report, and they have him for the murder. According to that same police report, Mezquia tried to lure a young lady into his car while masturbating. Zapata's body had been found only blocks away from where this incident occurred. The prosecutors say this shows prior pattern and proximity. He also has numerous prior arrests and convictions for kidnapping, battery and assault. There is expected to be testimony by key witnesses, friends of both the alleged murderer and the victim. This paints a deadly picture of a woman who was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and paid the ultimate price.
Fogg said this case, unlike others, is unique because of the heart the fans, family, and friends gave to tracking down this murderer. For those affected by her death, most profoundly, this case is still fresh in their minds. "Mia Zapata was such a progressive force in this community that people have bent over backwards to help track down virtually everyone who saw her that night," he said. As her fans posted shortly after her death, "We will not rest until we see the face of the man who did this".
Fellow musicians staged benefit concerts in an effort to remember her. Although, the band broke up shortly after her death, The Gits re-released some of their most popular songs, with familiar rocker JOAN JETT singing Zapata's vocals. This, and many other honorariums, was done in an effort to keep people aware of Zapata's vision and life, as well as her tragic death.
The public and media are doing just that. There was so much press within the community that the initial presiding judge at Mezquia's arraignment granted the defense team's motion to ban photographers and television cameras from issuing pictures of the suspect. However, that order has been lifted and it seems everyone knows the face of the man accused of snuffing a young talent's life.
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