A jury this evening decided Joseph Gamboa should receive the death penalty for the 2005 slayings at Taco Land, a bar that was a mainstay on the city's underground music scene.
The 379th District Court jury returned its verdict after more than five hours of deliberations, finding that Gamboa was a continuing threat to society and that there were no mitigating circumstances to spare his life. Jurors also found that he intentionally caused the deaths.
The same jury last week convicted Gamboa, 24, of capital murder in the June 24, 2005, shootings and robbery that killed bar owner Ramiro "Ram" Ayala, 72, and doorman Douglas "Gypsy Doug" Morgan, 53. Bartender Denise "Sunshine" Koger, 41, was shot but survived.
The popular bar and music spot closed after the slayings.
Prosecutors said Gamboa was the gunman in the shootings.
A co-defendant, Jose Najera, 31, is awaiting trial.
Elizabeth Allen for the Express-News
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Life or Death?
By Elizabeth Allen at the Express-News
A jury today is deliberating whether Joseph Gamboa should live or die for the 2005 slayings during a robbery at Taco Land, a bar that was a mainstay on the city's underground music scene.
Jurors received the case at about 12:45 p.m. after attorneys for the state and defense presented their final arguments in 379th District Court.
The same jury last week convicted Gamboa, 24, in the June 24, 2005 shootings that killed bar owner Ramiro "Ram" Ayala, 72, and doorman Douglas "Gypsy Doug" Morgan, 53. Bartender Denise "Sunshine" Koger, 41, was shot but survived.
The popular bar and music spot closed after the slayings.
Prosecutors contend Gamboa was the gunman in the shooting.
Jurors only have two sentencing options for Gamboa -- life in prison or the death penalty.
A co-defendant, Jose Najera, 31, is awaiting trial.
A jury today is deliberating whether Joseph Gamboa should live or die for the 2005 slayings during a robbery at Taco Land, a bar that was a mainstay on the city's underground music scene.
Jurors received the case at about 12:45 p.m. after attorneys for the state and defense presented their final arguments in 379th District Court.
The same jury last week convicted Gamboa, 24, in the June 24, 2005 shootings that killed bar owner Ramiro "Ram" Ayala, 72, and doorman Douglas "Gypsy Doug" Morgan, 53. Bartender Denise "Sunshine" Koger, 41, was shot but survived.
The popular bar and music spot closed after the slayings.
Prosecutors contend Gamboa was the gunman in the shooting.
Jurors only have two sentencing options for Gamboa -- life in prison or the death penalty.
A co-defendant, Jose Najera, 31, is awaiting trial.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
The Trial Begins
Man Accused Of Double Slaying In Bar Goes On Trial
Pictured above is Trigger Pussy Joseph Gamboa.
The only employee who survived a fatal shooting and robbery at a nightclub near downtown testified Friday in a capital murder trial.
Denise Koger identified Joseph Gamboa in court as the man who fatally wounded Ram Ayala, the owner of Taco Land, and Dennis Morgan, a bartender.
Koger testified that after Gamboa shot Ayala and Morgan, he turned the gun on her.
Koger told jurors that despite giving the defendant money, he still shot her.
Koger survived the shooting, but Ayala died at the scene and Morgan died 19 days later in the hospital.
Gamboa was later arrested in jail, where he was being held on charges of pulling a similar robbery two days after the bar killings.
Pictured above is Trigger Pussy Joseph Gamboa.The only employee who survived a fatal shooting and robbery at a nightclub near downtown testified Friday in a capital murder trial.
Denise Koger identified Joseph Gamboa in court as the man who fatally wounded Ram Ayala, the owner of Taco Land, and Dennis Morgan, a bartender.
Koger testified that after Gamboa shot Ayala and Morgan, he turned the gun on her.
Koger told jurors that despite giving the defendant money, he still shot her.
Koger survived the shooting, but Ayala died at the scene and Morgan died 19 days later in the hospital.
Gamboa was later arrested in jail, where he was being held on charges of pulling a similar robbery two days after the bar killings.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Jurors being picked in Taco Land case
Jury selection began Friday in the capital murder trial of Joseph Gamboa, 24, accused in the 2005 slayings of Taco Land owner Ramiro "Ram" Ayala and doorman Douglas Morgan, as well as the shooting of bartender Denise Koger.
Gamboa and Jose Najera, 30, were both charged about two weeks after the robbery at the bar that June 24. Gamboa was already in jail, arrested in connection with a South Side shooting spree that took place days after the Taco Land slayings.
Najera was arrested after police acted on an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers. Witnesses identified both men from photo lineups.
Morgan, 53, also known as "Gypsy," died more than two weeks after the gunshot wound to his abdomen.
The defendants are each charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of attempted capital murder.
The killings ended the long reign of Taco Land as a mainstay of the local underground music scene. Ayala, 72, had a reputation for gruffness and yet warmth that drew him a substantial base of friends and fans.
Jury selection in 379th District Judge Bert Richardson's court could take up to a month because jurors are interviewed one by one in the capital case.
Najera's trial has not been scheduled.
Thanks To The Express-News
Gamboa and Jose Najera, 30, were both charged about two weeks after the robbery at the bar that June 24. Gamboa was already in jail, arrested in connection with a South Side shooting spree that took place days after the Taco Land slayings.
Najera was arrested after police acted on an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers. Witnesses identified both men from photo lineups.
Morgan, 53, also known as "Gypsy," died more than two weeks after the gunshot wound to his abdomen.
The defendants are each charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of attempted capital murder.
The killings ended the long reign of Taco Land as a mainstay of the local underground music scene. Ayala, 72, had a reputation for gruffness and yet warmth that drew him a substantial base of friends and fans.
Jury selection in 379th District Judge Bert Richardson's court could take up to a month because jurors are interviewed one by one in the capital case.
Najera's trial has not been scheduled.
Thanks To The Express-News
Friday, January 26, 2007
Jury selection begins in Taco Land slayings trial
Jury selection began today in the capital murder trial of Joseph Gamboa, accused in the June 2005 Taco Land slayings of Taco Land owner Ramiro "Ram" Ayala and doorman Douglas Morgan.
Family members closed the popular Grayson Street bar after its iconic 72-year-old owner died. Bartender Denise Koger was also wounded in the robbery.
Jose Najera was also arrested and charged in the shooting.
Jury selection could take up to a month, as jurors in capital murder trials are interviewed one at a time.
Thanks to Elizabeth Allen Express-News Staff Writer
Family members closed the popular Grayson Street bar after its iconic 72-year-old owner died. Bartender Denise Koger was also wounded in the robbery.
Jose Najera was also arrested and charged in the shooting.
Jury selection could take up to a month, as jurors in capital murder trials are interviewed one at a time.
Thanks to Elizabeth Allen Express-News Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Monday, August 22, 2005
A Poem For 'Gypsy' Doug Morgan
Doug
Doug was big... wide...
Arms like legs.
Before he came to San Antonio
he worked in a bathtub factory.
He would lift the tubs
from the rack
and load them in the kiln.
When the porcelain was fired
he'd lift them again.
Arms like legs...
He was not that tall
but he was big.
And he had a big heart.
His voice was soft...
His manner was disarming.
Did I tell you he was strong?
He had his weaknesses
but he was strong enough
to overcome them.
He lived for a while
in a shack with a basement
dug by a quarry worker
near Alamo Stadium.
In the 1980s,
he sold mushrooms
to too many people.
In the 1990s,
he almost chopped off his finger
working as a butcher
on St. Mary's Street.
He was that strong.
Did I tell you
he was strong-willed?
He laid down the bottle
when it interfered
with what he wanted to do.
Strong... Gentle... Non-Drinker...
Perfect fit for a doorman
in SA's premiere punk rock club.
Near perfect, I should say...
Ram went down with Taco Land.
Doug, bless his big heart,
held on to life for weeks.
The bullets that would
kill a lesser man right away
gave Doug a slow death.
Ram was a cantankerous character...
ornery owner of Taco Land.
We all loved him.
But Doug was a brother...
I'll miss him forever.
Don Mathis
for 'Gypsy' Doug Morgan
Doug was big... wide...
Arms like legs.
Before he came to San Antonio
he worked in a bathtub factory.
He would lift the tubs
from the rack
and load them in the kiln.
When the porcelain was fired
he'd lift them again.
Arms like legs...
He was not that tall
but he was big.
And he had a big heart.
His voice was soft...
His manner was disarming.
Did I tell you he was strong?
He had his weaknesses
but he was strong enough
to overcome them.
He lived for a while
in a shack with a basement
dug by a quarry worker
near Alamo Stadium.
In the 1980s,
he sold mushrooms
to too many people.
In the 1990s,
he almost chopped off his finger
working as a butcher
on St. Mary's Street.
He was that strong.
Did I tell you
he was strong-willed?
He laid down the bottle
when it interfered
with what he wanted to do.
Strong... Gentle... Non-Drinker...
Perfect fit for a doorman
in SA's premiere punk rock club.
Near perfect, I should say...
Ram went down with Taco Land.
Doug, bless his big heart,
held on to life for weeks.
The bullets that would
kill a lesser man right away
gave Doug a slow death.
Ram was a cantankerous character...
ornery owner of Taco Land.
We all loved him.
But Doug was a brother...
I'll miss him forever.
Don Mathis
for 'Gypsy' Doug Morgan
Friday, August 19, 2005
Three Lone Stars
True Stories From Taco Land
By Russell
Place: Tacoland
When: One Night in 2003
Who's Playing: Pillow Of Wrongness
Ram Factor: One-Chinaman Limit
My band was touring through Texas in 2003, and we played a show at Taco Land. As far as I could tell this was the cool place in town to play, despite the lack of a website or answering machine. I did successfully reach someone at the bar on the phone, and booked a monday night at 11:00 P.M., which I was told was when people started coming in there. I called back about 3 weeks later to reconfirm the show, and this crochety-sounding guy with a heavy mexican accent answers the phone. I explain to him that we're a band from L.A. and we booked a show there. He looks at the calendar and says we're not on it. I say we booked it through this woman at the bar, whose name I forget, and he says "she don't work here no more." At this point I'm thinking of saying "thank you" and hanging up, but he says no to worry we could play there. but they don't have a P.A. system. So I look for San Antonio bands online and write to find out if anyone has a P.A. and wants to play with us that night, and sure enough we hook it up.
When we get to SA the first thing we do is spin by the place to check it out. It looked comlpetely abandoned, like it had been closed for 5 years. We were a bit nervous at this point, but decided to go to our hotel, settle in and come back later. Our bassist, Albert, was Korean, and let's just say him and Texas didn't seem to get along that well.
This was our last show of the tour, and he said that he'd just sit in the car until show time, which was 2 hours from then. We told him he was being ridiculous, that there was nothing to worry about, no one was looking at him funny, etc. The rest of us go in, and from first glance were in love. and then we met Ram. probably took 2 or 3 glances to fall in love with him, but here's how it happened. We went up to the bar and ordered 3 Budweisers. He say "Ok, that's a dollar each." Being from LA we were already in heaven. As we're handing over the money, he pulls out 3 Lone Stars from behind the bar, and says "But if you want these, they're free for band members. "We all stare at each other, look back and say "Three Lone Stars!!" This starts the beginning of a very drunken evening.
We go out to the car and get our bassist and tell him to come in cuz everything's fine. He steps foot in the door, and we tell Ram that he's in the band too, so he can get free beer. The first words out of Ram's mouth were "We have a One-Chinaman limit here." Well, I guess he should have stayed in the car after all. It was a priceless moment. In fact there was another woman of Asian descent in the bar, and despite Ram's quip, and several other Asian-related points of humor he exounded upon that night that I won't share.
Ram was making out with aforementioned Asian lady an hour later. We didn't take stage until 12:30 at night on a Monday, and for whatever reason there was water all over the floor by the stage, and it looked like it could easily hit the power strips and amps, so our guitarist grabs a mop and starts soaking it up. It's to date the only gig that we've had to mop the stage before playing due to danger of electrocution. but, again, priceless.
Ram called us pussies a dozen times, gave us stickers saying "Is it too loud for you PUSSY??" and at the end of the night, he took us back by the bar, pulled out a six-pack of Lone Star and says "here, take this for the road. "It would be impossible to forget the one night we spent at Taco Land, and I always figured I'd get back there soon... I guess not. But at least we were there.
By Russell
Place: Tacoland
When: One Night in 2003
Who's Playing: Pillow Of Wrongness
Ram Factor: One-Chinaman Limit
My band was touring through Texas in 2003, and we played a show at Taco Land. As far as I could tell this was the cool place in town to play, despite the lack of a website or answering machine. I did successfully reach someone at the bar on the phone, and booked a monday night at 11:00 P.M., which I was told was when people started coming in there. I called back about 3 weeks later to reconfirm the show, and this crochety-sounding guy with a heavy mexican accent answers the phone. I explain to him that we're a band from L.A. and we booked a show there. He looks at the calendar and says we're not on it. I say we booked it through this woman at the bar, whose name I forget, and he says "she don't work here no more." At this point I'm thinking of saying "thank you" and hanging up, but he says no to worry we could play there. but they don't have a P.A. system. So I look for San Antonio bands online and write to find out if anyone has a P.A. and wants to play with us that night, and sure enough we hook it up.
When we get to SA the first thing we do is spin by the place to check it out. It looked comlpetely abandoned, like it had been closed for 5 years. We were a bit nervous at this point, but decided to go to our hotel, settle in and come back later. Our bassist, Albert, was Korean, and let's just say him and Texas didn't seem to get along that well.
This was our last show of the tour, and he said that he'd just sit in the car until show time, which was 2 hours from then. We told him he was being ridiculous, that there was nothing to worry about, no one was looking at him funny, etc. The rest of us go in, and from first glance were in love. and then we met Ram. probably took 2 or 3 glances to fall in love with him, but here's how it happened. We went up to the bar and ordered 3 Budweisers. He say "Ok, that's a dollar each." Being from LA we were already in heaven. As we're handing over the money, he pulls out 3 Lone Stars from behind the bar, and says "But if you want these, they're free for band members. "We all stare at each other, look back and say "Three Lone Stars!!" This starts the beginning of a very drunken evening.
We go out to the car and get our bassist and tell him to come in cuz everything's fine. He steps foot in the door, and we tell Ram that he's in the band too, so he can get free beer. The first words out of Ram's mouth were "We have a One-Chinaman limit here." Well, I guess he should have stayed in the car after all. It was a priceless moment. In fact there was another woman of Asian descent in the bar, and despite Ram's quip, and several other Asian-related points of humor he exounded upon that night that I won't share.
Ram was making out with aforementioned Asian lady an hour later. We didn't take stage until 12:30 at night on a Monday, and for whatever reason there was water all over the floor by the stage, and it looked like it could easily hit the power strips and amps, so our guitarist grabs a mop and starts soaking it up. It's to date the only gig that we've had to mop the stage before playing due to danger of electrocution. but, again, priceless.
Ram called us pussies a dozen times, gave us stickers saying "Is it too loud for you PUSSY??" and at the end of the night, he took us back by the bar, pulled out a six-pack of Lone Star and says "here, take this for the road. "It would be impossible to forget the one night we spent at Taco Land, and I always figured I'd get back there soon... I guess not. But at least we were there.
Friday, August 12, 2005
First Annual Blood Drive August 14, 2005
There will be a memorial service held in memory of Taco Land owner,
Ramiro "Ram" Ayala, on Sunday, August 14th, 2005 starting at 8:30 pm. It
will take place at the historic Josephine Theatre, which is located at 339
W. Josephine Street (at the corner of W. Josephine & N. St. Mary's).
There will be live music by The Infidels, The Rhythm Kings, Los Mescaleros and others, as well as remembrances by many of Ram's friends, family & members of the San Antonio & Austin music community. The event is free & open to the public. All of Ram's friends & fans are invited to attend.
The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center will also be on-hand throughout the evening for a very special Blood Drive. This Memorial Blood Drive will begin at 6:00 pm in front of the Josephine Theatre, and will continue inside the lobby when the doors open at 8:30 pm. The hope is that this drive will generate as many as 100 units of blood for the center, which is currently operating on only a one-day supply. This event will also act as a "blood replacement drive", benefiting our friends Denise "Sunshine" Koger and the late Douglas "Gypsy Doug" Morgan. If there are any outstanding medical expenses for either (or both), the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center will direct a donation for every unit collected that night toward those hospital bills.
In addition to helping to boost the South Texas blood supply at this
critical time, donors will receive a commemorative Memorial
T-Shirt while the supply lasts. This shirt will not be sold or reproduced,
so donors are encouraged to arrive early.
We look forward to seeing everyone at the Josephine Theatre on this Sunday, August 14th for this memorial service & celebration of a truly wonderful man's life.
Please help us to spread the word of this event, by forwarding this
to as many friends & fellow members of the music community as
possible.
Thank you
Jerry Clayworth
Ramiro "Ram" Ayala, on Sunday, August 14th, 2005 starting at 8:30 pm. It
will take place at the historic Josephine Theatre, which is located at 339
W. Josephine Street (at the corner of W. Josephine & N. St. Mary's).
There will be live music by The Infidels, The Rhythm Kings, Los Mescaleros and others, as well as remembrances by many of Ram's friends, family & members of the San Antonio & Austin music community. The event is free & open to the public. All of Ram's friends & fans are invited to attend.
The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center will also be on-hand throughout the evening for a very special Blood Drive. This Memorial Blood Drive will begin at 6:00 pm in front of the Josephine Theatre, and will continue inside the lobby when the doors open at 8:30 pm. The hope is that this drive will generate as many as 100 units of blood for the center, which is currently operating on only a one-day supply. This event will also act as a "blood replacement drive", benefiting our friends Denise "Sunshine" Koger and the late Douglas "Gypsy Doug" Morgan. If there are any outstanding medical expenses for either (or both), the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center will direct a donation for every unit collected that night toward those hospital bills.
In addition to helping to boost the South Texas blood supply at this
critical time, donors will receive a commemorative Memorial
T-Shirt while the supply lasts. This shirt will not be sold or reproduced,
so donors are encouraged to arrive early.
We look forward to seeing everyone at the Josephine Theatre on this Sunday, August 14th for this memorial service & celebration of a truly wonderful man's life.
Please help us to spread the word of this event, by forwarding this
to as many friends & fellow members of the music community as
possible.
Thank you
Jerry Clayworth
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Graveside Service for Doug Today 2:00
Today at 2 p.m. Aug 3 there will be a graveside service for Doug 'Gypsy" Morgan.
This is open to all family and friends of Doug, at San Jose Burial
Park (out on Mission Rd on the south side).
Cemetery Lot #89
GRU #6, B2b,
S2 Cemetery Lot no. 4407940
God Speed Doug. Say hey to Ram from all of us.
This is open to all family and friends of Doug, at San Jose Burial
Park (out on Mission Rd on the south side).
Cemetery Lot #89
GRU #6, B2b,
S2 Cemetery Lot no. 4407940
God Speed Doug. Say hey to Ram from all of us.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
To The Friends of Doug Morgan
Just a quick note to friends of Doug Morgan. From the family a big
hug and thank you so much for making what could have been a very hard
time, into an up lifting occasion. Barbara and George Hecox (Dougs
parents) both expressed what a joy it was to get to meet you all and
how it lifted their hearts to realize that their son Doug was so well
loved.
Doug will remain in San Antonio where his extended family is, He
will be at the San Jose Burial Patk. A grave side service will be
held sometime in the first part of August when Barbara and George get
back down here. It will be open to you each.
I want to express my thanks to you all for being there for Doug
and hope you will continue in community to support Denise (Sunshine)
and the families of Doug and Ram. A memorial service is scheduled for
Ram in August on Sunday the 14th with the place to be announced soon.
PLEASE send this message to anyone you thank should receive it as my
e-mail list is a little short of all the addresses.
Your friend
Claude Butch Morgan
Claude"Butch" Morgan
603 Windy Knoll
Devine,Texas 78016
cell: 210.884.1572
http://www.butchmorgan.com
hug and thank you so much for making what could have been a very hard
time, into an up lifting occasion. Barbara and George Hecox (Dougs
parents) both expressed what a joy it was to get to meet you all and
how it lifted their hearts to realize that their son Doug was so well
loved.
Doug will remain in San Antonio where his extended family is, He
will be at the San Jose Burial Patk. A grave side service will be
held sometime in the first part of August when Barbara and George get
back down here. It will be open to you each.
I want to express my thanks to you all for being there for Doug
and hope you will continue in community to support Denise (Sunshine)
and the families of Doug and Ram. A memorial service is scheduled for
Ram in August on Sunday the 14th with the place to be announced soon.
PLEASE send this message to anyone you thank should receive it as my
e-mail list is a little short of all the addresses.
Your friend
Claude Butch Morgan
Claude"Butch" Morgan
603 Windy Knoll
Devine,Texas 78016
cell: 210.884.1572
http://www.butchmorgan.com
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Sam's Benefit July 30
In the aftermath of the June 24 shootings at Taco Land, there were hopes and prayers that bartender Denise "Sunshine" Koger and doorman "Gypsy" Doug Morgan would survive the attack that claimed the life of Ram Ayala, the storied owner of the storied place.
Musicians and fans sprang into action to put together benefits to pay tribute to Ram while raising money for Koger and Morgan. Sam's Burger Joint, up the street from Taco Land, had an opening July 30 and immediately that date was pegged for a Taco Land fundraiser.
Morgan died July 13; Koger is recovering. But the mourning continues and it's likely there'll be more good stories and more good will Saturday at Sam's when a bunch of artists, including Bone Machine, Satantonio, Double Clutch, Prepare to Defend It, Racing for Last, Claude "Butch" Morgan & H!X and Eric Geyer team to remember Ram and Doug and continue to send get-well wishes and give a monetary assist to Sunshine.
Jim Beal Jr
Just Added: TEXACALA JONES HER TJ HOOKERS @ MIDNIGHT
Musicians and fans sprang into action to put together benefits to pay tribute to Ram while raising money for Koger and Morgan. Sam's Burger Joint, up the street from Taco Land, had an opening July 30 and immediately that date was pegged for a Taco Land fundraiser.
Morgan died July 13; Koger is recovering. But the mourning continues and it's likely there'll be more good stories and more good will Saturday at Sam's when a bunch of artists, including Bone Machine, Satantonio, Double Clutch, Prepare to Defend It, Racing for Last, Claude "Butch" Morgan & H!X and Eric Geyer team to remember Ram and Doug and continue to send get-well wishes and give a monetary assist to Sunshine.
Jim Beal Jr
Just Added: TEXACALA JONES HER TJ HOOKERS @ MIDNIGHT
Saturday, July 23, 2005
"You wanna fucking beer?"
Man, I'd love to be able to stop by Taco Land and have Ram serve me an ice cold Lone Star right now.
True - 1st time at Tocoland I went with my spouse Linda. In awe of the place. Sons of Hercules was setting up and starting to play. I went to the bar and there was Ram, sunglasses and all. I meekly asked "for a bud light and asked what kind of wine coolers do you have?" Ram answered "You wanna fucking beer?" He was talking to a waitress and not paying me any attention. I said "yes, I want a beer and a wine cooler" Ram said " No, do you want a fucking beer?" with a very slight grin on his face. So I said "Ya I want a fucking beer'. He handed me a miller lite, and I asked for a wine cooler and got whatever. I sat there at the small bar and had about 3 more beers(bud lites) and talked to Ram a little more that night and realized he was just a regular guy, loved the women, loved getting people to loosen up, and loved running Tocoland. These stories make sure his life becomes legend.
Kieth Briggs
True - 1st time at Tocoland I went with my spouse Linda. In awe of the place. Sons of Hercules was setting up and starting to play. I went to the bar and there was Ram, sunglasses and all. I meekly asked "for a bud light and asked what kind of wine coolers do you have?" Ram answered "You wanna fucking beer?" He was talking to a waitress and not paying me any attention. I said "yes, I want a beer and a wine cooler" Ram said " No, do you want a fucking beer?" with a very slight grin on his face. So I said "Ya I want a fucking beer'. He handed me a miller lite, and I asked for a wine cooler and got whatever. I sat there at the small bar and had about 3 more beers(bud lites) and talked to Ram a little more that night and realized he was just a regular guy, loved the women, loved getting people to loosen up, and loved running Tocoland. These stories make sure his life becomes legend.
Kieth Briggs
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Jump Start Gathering for "Gypsy" Doug
"Gypsy" Doug Morgan passed away at 8:29 PM on Wednesday, July 13th, 2005 at University Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. There will be a gathering in his honor at the Jump Start Theater in the Blue Star Complex on South Alamo Street on Monday, July 18th starting at 6:00 PM.
Thanks to Saxman Georgefor the update.
Thanks to Saxman Georgefor the update.
Rest In Peace Doug "Gypsy" Morgan
Taco Land shooting claims another life
Mary Moreno
Express-News Staff Writer
His mother had told him it was OK to let go. And Wednesday night, Doug "Gypsy" Morgan did just that.
After more than two weeks of trying to recover from a gunshot wound that pierced his intestines, Morgan, 53, became the second fatality of the June 25 shooting at Taco Land that also claimed the life of the iconic bar's owner, Ramiro "Ram" Ayala.
Police have said Ayala, Morgan and Denise "Sunshine" Koger were shot during a robbery at the Grayson Street bar. Ayala was shot first, then Morgan and finally Koger. Koger has told Morgan's family that he saved her life by shielding her from the gunfire.
An anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers led to the arrests of Joseph Gamboa, 22, and Jose Najera, 29. Each was charged with one count of capital murder and two counts of attempted capital murder and remained jailed.
It wasn't immediately known if Morgan's death would result in upgraded charges.
Morgan died at University Hospital at about 8:30 p.m. with his mother, stepfather, sister and a friend keeping him company.
Morgan had seemed to be recovering from his injuries after operations to repair his intestines, said his mother, Barbara Morgan Hecox. He sat up, talked a bit and even smiled. He asked about what had happened at the bar and when told his good friend Ayala had died, he cried.
But Morgan developed internal infections and his kidneys began to malfunction, and then so did his liver. And his intestines were leaking.
"He is considered septic right now," Hecox said minutes before Morgan died.
Doctors told his mother, who arrived here Saturday from Albuquerque, N.M., that any further treatment was futile, that Morgan likely wouldn't survive another surgery. She then made the difficult choice to have him removed from life support Monday morning, leaving his family with nothing to do but wait for him to die.
Hecox said that although her son was unconscious for the last few days of his life, she held his hand and talked to him, hoping that would provide him some comfort.
"It's OK to go anytime you're ready," Hecox told her son. "Everybody here loves you."
While waiting at University during what would be her son's last hours, Hecox talked proudly of him, about his vast book collection and his immense love of music. Morgan had more than 100 boxes filled with books. He had always loved to read, absorbed much of it and used it to debate with anyone who would take him on.
"Although he just went through high school, he was so well read," she said.
And the music was why he worked as a doorman at Taco Land — a place Hecox thought was a pizza place. He loved the bands and being around musicians.
Hecox said there was a blessing in having to come here — she found out how many friends her son had.
Because they lived so far away from each other, Hecox worried constantly about the son she adopted when he was 3 months old.
She worried that he didn't have a bed to lie on because he was sometimes homeless. She worried about his health because he battled cancer and had hepatitis C. She also wondered if he was alone.
During her stay here, she found out he wasn't. A steady stream of musicians, artists and "even normal people," she said laughing, went by the hospital to visit her son.
"It's just been a revelation," she said. "There's this wonderful guy that half of San Antonio loves and that makes us feel welcome and proud."
Morgan's friends told her stories of his generosity and kindness, about how he babysat for friends and made sure the bands that played at Taco Land were taken care of. "It's been good for us to hear about it," she said.
Hecox said her son would be cremated, and although she would like to have his remains closer to her, she's not taking him with her.
"He belongs in Texas," she said sobbing. "So we'll leave him here."
Mary Moreno
Express-News Staff Writer
His mother had told him it was OK to let go. And Wednesday night, Doug "Gypsy" Morgan did just that.
After more than two weeks of trying to recover from a gunshot wound that pierced his intestines, Morgan, 53, became the second fatality of the June 25 shooting at Taco Land that also claimed the life of the iconic bar's owner, Ramiro "Ram" Ayala.
Police have said Ayala, Morgan and Denise "Sunshine" Koger were shot during a robbery at the Grayson Street bar. Ayala was shot first, then Morgan and finally Koger. Koger has told Morgan's family that he saved her life by shielding her from the gunfire.
An anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers led to the arrests of Joseph Gamboa, 22, and Jose Najera, 29. Each was charged with one count of capital murder and two counts of attempted capital murder and remained jailed.
It wasn't immediately known if Morgan's death would result in upgraded charges.
Morgan died at University Hospital at about 8:30 p.m. with his mother, stepfather, sister and a friend keeping him company.
Morgan had seemed to be recovering from his injuries after operations to repair his intestines, said his mother, Barbara Morgan Hecox. He sat up, talked a bit and even smiled. He asked about what had happened at the bar and when told his good friend Ayala had died, he cried.
But Morgan developed internal infections and his kidneys began to malfunction, and then so did his liver. And his intestines were leaking.
"He is considered septic right now," Hecox said minutes before Morgan died.
Doctors told his mother, who arrived here Saturday from Albuquerque, N.M., that any further treatment was futile, that Morgan likely wouldn't survive another surgery. She then made the difficult choice to have him removed from life support Monday morning, leaving his family with nothing to do but wait for him to die.
Hecox said that although her son was unconscious for the last few days of his life, she held his hand and talked to him, hoping that would provide him some comfort.
"It's OK to go anytime you're ready," Hecox told her son. "Everybody here loves you."
While waiting at University during what would be her son's last hours, Hecox talked proudly of him, about his vast book collection and his immense love of music. Morgan had more than 100 boxes filled with books. He had always loved to read, absorbed much of it and used it to debate with anyone who would take him on.
"Although he just went through high school, he was so well read," she said.
And the music was why he worked as a doorman at Taco Land — a place Hecox thought was a pizza place. He loved the bands and being around musicians.
Hecox said there was a blessing in having to come here — she found out how many friends her son had.
Because they lived so far away from each other, Hecox worried constantly about the son she adopted when he was 3 months old.
She worried that he didn't have a bed to lie on because he was sometimes homeless. She worried about his health because he battled cancer and had hepatitis C. She also wondered if he was alone.
During her stay here, she found out he wasn't. A steady stream of musicians, artists and "even normal people," she said laughing, went by the hospital to visit her son.
"It's just been a revelation," she said. "There's this wonderful guy that half of San Antonio loves and that makes us feel welcome and proud."
Morgan's friends told her stories of his generosity and kindness, about how he babysat for friends and made sure the bands that played at Taco Land were taken care of. "It's been good for us to hear about it," she said.
Hecox said her son would be cremated, and although she would like to have his remains closer to her, she's not taking him with her.
"He belongs in Texas," she said sobbing. "So we'll leave him here."
Monday, July 11, 2005
Sad News For Gypsy Doug
Hello Friends of Doug Morgan. Dougs Mother and I met with his
surgeon today. The last 72 hours has seen Doug condition go steadily
down. His stomach wound has ruptured and another operation would be
necessary to repair it. That means they would have to perform the
whole operation again and do extensive exploratory work. His liver is
just about done as the Hepititus C and just the energy the liver had
to exert the last two weeks has greatly depleted it's strength. Now
his kidneys are really slowing down and he has had sever seizures.
His pulse is slowing as well. He is currently on life support. After
conferring with his surgeon, Dougs Mom, Barbara, and his sister
decided that it would serve Dougs best interest to stop all life
support, and simply let him rest comfortably, making sure he is not
in pain. The prognosis for recovery was very very slim, .05% at best
and that would be nursing home and dialysis. He would also still have
to have chemotherapy for his liver problems. His quality of life
would be very poor IF he even made it through the surgery to repair
the new rupture.
This is sad news for those of us who love Gypsy Doug, but in the
light of all the Dr. said the family believes it is the best for
Doug, and that it would be his wishes as well... So tomorrow at 9 a.m.
all assistance will stop. He will be treated for comfort only. The
Dr. says once the life support is removed it would not be very long
before he just goes to his eternal rest. At that point all of Dougs
problems will cease and he will be healed forever. To that we can all
say Hallelujah.
There will be a service, I will send out a notice and the newspaper
will have all the details. Thank you for your support and prayers,
they are needed now for the immediate family and close friends of
Gypsy Doug.
Claude "Butch" Morgan
www.butchmorgan.com
surgeon today. The last 72 hours has seen Doug condition go steadily
down. His stomach wound has ruptured and another operation would be
necessary to repair it. That means they would have to perform the
whole operation again and do extensive exploratory work. His liver is
just about done as the Hepititus C and just the energy the liver had
to exert the last two weeks has greatly depleted it's strength. Now
his kidneys are really slowing down and he has had sever seizures.
His pulse is slowing as well. He is currently on life support. After
conferring with his surgeon, Dougs Mom, Barbara, and his sister
decided that it would serve Dougs best interest to stop all life
support, and simply let him rest comfortably, making sure he is not
in pain. The prognosis for recovery was very very slim, .05% at best
and that would be nursing home and dialysis. He would also still have
to have chemotherapy for his liver problems. His quality of life
would be very poor IF he even made it through the surgery to repair
the new rupture.
This is sad news for those of us who love Gypsy Doug, but in the
light of all the Dr. said the family believes it is the best for
Doug, and that it would be his wishes as well... So tomorrow at 9 a.m.
all assistance will stop. He will be treated for comfort only. The
Dr. says once the life support is removed it would not be very long
before he just goes to his eternal rest. At that point all of Dougs
problems will cease and he will be healed forever. To that we can all
say Hallelujah.
There will be a service, I will send out a notice and the newspaper
will have all the details. Thank you for your support and prayers,
they are needed now for the immediate family and close friends of
Gypsy Doug.
Claude "Butch" Morgan
www.butchmorgan.com
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Ram , originally uploaded by H. Michael karshis . We miss you already! Thanks to the kids at Grackle Monday for the photo. Kaw Kaw
