Testimony Begins In Trial For Girl Murdered On Gilcrease Expressway

The family of a teenage girl murdered on a Tulsa highway two years ago gave tearful testimony in court on Wednesday.

Prosecutors say David Ruble is one of three men responsible for the death of 14-year-old April Montano.

April's family said when she was shot and killed nearly two years ago it was the worst night of their lives. Now, as the trial begins, they are reliving that loss.

April's father Eduardo Mesa was the first to testify, and it was difficult for him to relive the death of his daughter. He cried through the entire testimony.

The family is not commenting on the trial out of fear for their safety, but Mesa talked to us days after his daughter was killed.

"I know we got an angel now. A big angel," he said.

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April's brother, cousin and uncle also testified Wednesday. They said they spent the afternoon at Keystone Lake riding their four-wheelers. April had just gotten hers as a reward for getting good grades.

The family stopped for dinner on their way home, but realized restaurants were closed, so they got on the Gilcrease Expressway, heading home to north Tulsa.

Not long after getting on the entrance ramp, April's family all testified they heard noises -- some thought they were rocks, others said they sounded like paintball guns.

April's father realized they were bullets, and told everyone to get down. But April's brother, Jorge, remembers his sister was asleep, with her head against the window. She didn't hear the warning.

When Jorge tried to pull her down to the floor of their truck, he says it was too late. April had been shot in the head. She died later that night at the hospital.

Prosecutors said it was a botched robbery.

They say Ruble and two other men -- Travis Lozada and Demonte Rushing -- wanted to steal the family's four-wheelers they were hauling behind their truck.

Rushing is already in custody for April's murder. He also took the stand and said Lozada came up with the plan to steal the family's four-wheelers and sell them.

Rushing said his cousin, Ruble, was the one who fired the gun, while he drove.

The trial is expected to last into next week.