The fatal shooting occurred Jan. 24 during a
robbery at Szucs'office. Police say Jose Albert Dennes,
42, and Reinaldo Dennes, 40,
brothers who were jewelers in the same building as Szucs,
planned and committed the robbery and shooting. Jewels
valuedat a total of $3 million were stolen.
Szucs had apparently stayed late after work to
meet with aclient. According to Officer Todd Miller of the Houston
police department, it was Martinez's job to
leave Szucs' door open for the robbers and
then to distract a security guard while they
stole the video.
I was born on the beautiful island named Cuba on 2.9.56. My mom
expected a girl to be called Lourdes, but when I showed up, I was
a big surprise and she did not have a name for me. A nurse that
what with her, suggested “Why not Reinaldo ? Today is Saint
Reinaldo’s day.” Thus I was named.
I could never spell Reinaldo as a kid, so I went by Ray. Ray was a
shy boy, especially with girls. They were always out to give me a
kiss (they said, I was cute). So instead of studying my ABC’s , I
was playing spin the bottle with the girls. My father was a jewler
and I became a jewler at the age of 10 years old. At that age I
was already making rings and things for my little girlfriends.
When I grew up and became a professionel jewler, I worked in the
Diamond District in NY City for about 15 yrs.....then I came to
Houston, TX and opened a jewlery store.
Around that time I began practising martial arts. I enjoyed
martial arts, not because I liked to fight, but because of the
discipline my soul was crying out for. Unfortunately, I did not
listen to this cry to go within and seek guidance, and as the time
passed, I fell into drugs and alcohol which darkened my mind more
than it already was.
One thing led to another , and before you know it, I was arrested,
tried, convicted and sent to death row under the law of parties (I
killed no one) and here I am.
Prison is a new experience for me, I’ve never been in jail in my
life. And over these years I have made the most of things and have
educated myself and found many un-opened gifts and talents that
were within me. I’m an artist, I paint everyday. I read everyday
(I love adventure and historical fiction) and I exercise and
meditate everyday.
I still practise tae-kwon-do, but never to hurt anyone. In 13
years of being in prison I’ve never had a fight. I practise it for
my mind and my body and also to teach others how beautiful and
wonderful we are made.
All acts of perfection inspire reflexion upon thy Divine Self. I
think, if I could start all over, I would have preferred to learn
and practise Tai-Chi and Yoga. These both are spiritual and
physical exercises that would have helped me develope my mind,
body and spirit to the state of oneness that I seek. At age 53,
I’m still young, not as cute, but true beauty lied within.
I want to live, so I can complete the discobery of my self and
look upon the correction of all the gifts given to me. By living
and becoming a vessel for my perfect soul to love and create, I
can serve and love others and share my inspirations of peace,
bringing others to search and find within. This love force that
unites like-minded souls togather, together we can overcome the
world of hate and war. We can come together and do much.
If you’d like to hear more, please write me; I am waiting to write
everyone ! If you can send a few photos of yourself, so I can see
you when I reply. Hope to hear from you soon. When you write, call
me Reinaldo, such a beautiful name, my mom gave me. I sign all my
paintings with this Saint’s name.
Peace and Love
Interview Reinaldo Dennes by Charles Flores
“Reinaldo is a good friend of mine. I have known him since 2003.
In that time we have gotten to know each other quite well and
enjoy many of the same interests, including spiritual awakening
and awareness and a love for daily meditation. I would like to
encourage everyone who reads this interview and personal profile
by Reinaldo to contact him. He’s a special individual and those
who befriend him will gain much.” Charles
Charles : Tell me the basics of yourself, birthdate, where you
were born, where you were raised, parents’ names, siblings, a bit
about what your home life was like.
(These questions help the reader understand where you come from
and what kind of person you are today).
Reinaldo : Basics.....I’m 5 f. 7 in. Tall, was born in Havanna,
Cuba 2. 9. 56. My family came to the USA in 1960. My mother is
Mithra Dennes, who I still have, and my Dad passed away on
5.31.08. I have three children , Ray the oldest who is 34, Desiray
who is 24, and Christian who is 12. Legally, I am still married,
unfortuately, my wife abandoned me 10 years ago.
Ch. : Name three people that you call friends. Why do you
consider them as friends ?
R. : My Mom is my true friend. She has never judged me or
condemned me, never abandoned me. She truly loves me and is the
only person in my life that continues to support me. Her love for
me is inconditional, a true friend indeed.
Ch. : Name someone who has inspired you to be a better human
being.
R. : I am inspired by all, when love is the motivator of their
actions. Selfless acts that encourage and build others inspire me.
When I see this in people, observe noble deeds that come from love,
I become a better person and learned from them.
Ch. : Who would you like to meet that is living or dead ?
R. : I think that, instead of wishing to meet a certain person,
I would allow providence to choose, then, whoever is sent, I would
receive and learn and share. I believe, all history is repeated in
each person, also every personality is in each one of us at
certain times.
Ch. : Looking back upon your life ; what is one thing that you
would change, if you could ?
(Does not include being convicted and sentenced to death).
R. : The one thing that I would change is, that I would have
chosen at an earlier time in my life to experience awareness and
spiritual enlightenment. But in the greater plan, all is perfect
and our acts and experiences are not just about ourselves; the
greater plan includes us all.
Ch. : What are your views on religion ? Do you consider
yourself as a spiritual being ? One might think that, because of
your current situation, you would believe in
“God”. If this is true in your case, was your belief in God
something that came to you while being on death row ? Or do you
come from a spiritual/religious background ?
R. : I have evolved to become Aware. In this life I have
obtained a greater Awareness of my Divine Self and relationship
with our Father Ceator. Religion is the beginning of an experience
and it’s up to you to then persue it within. In answer n°4 , I
wanted an earlier call to Awareness, but I am reminded that I
received that call when I was about 8 years old. I asked my
grandfather about God, and grandfather told me , he couldn’t see
or feel God, so he took me to a catholic priest and his answer did
not persuade me to search further. Looking back now, I feel I was
given that call.
Ch. : If you were in a life and dead situation, i.e. on a
sinking ship and could save yourself or someone that you did not
know, yet, while in this situation, you knew this person HAD to be
saved, and you still have the choice –them or you- what would you
do ?
R. : For me, this question has different answers. When I was
unaware of my true self, I would have only cared for myself. Now,
I realize that there is no greater act of love than to give
yourself in order to save another. Now, I would freely give myself
for anyone; for death is a change of life; to live is to die – and
to die is to live.
Ch. : Give me your thoughts on the death penality.
R. : A highly evolved society will not have the death penality,
as it would understand the need for a person to evolve. We all
evolve at different times to different levels and there is a time
for everything under the sun, and there is nothing any of us has
not done to each other in his lifetime or in another lifetime.
Ch. : Name a book that you have read, that has changed your
life.
R. : Most books I read change my life, as I develope a broader
range of choices. Most books reveal to me in one way or another a
new perspective to sometimes difficult passages in spiritual texts.
I cannot name just one book, as many have influenced my life.
Ch. : Since coming to death row, who has given you something
to believe in and why ? Who has given you hope, the ability to
carry on, to cope with the reality that you are on Texas Death row
?
R. : My soul. When I understand that it’s a journey of many
incarnations in order that I may be perfected and return to
oneness. When I think about the Love and patience and hope in it’s
expections in my spirit, I have nothing but awe and deep
respectful love. My soul is my hero and inspires me not to fail
her.
Ch. : Best advice you can give a young person ?
R. : Seek and know thyself.
Ch. : Best quality ?
(In your opinion, of course)
R. : In my humble opinion, I seek to encourage others to seek
within themselves the Teacher, Lover and God.
Ch. : Worst habit ?
R. : Self doubt. Allowing my lower self to sometimes take
control and to think that no one cares about me, to feel insecure.
Ch. : Name 5 guests you’d invite to your fantasy Dinner party.
R. : I would love to invite those who I deeply love and who
have passed on, and be able to completely express my love and
respect by serving them with the love I have for them, but did not
show it when I could have.
Ch. : What makes you happy ?
R. : Giving thanks and praise and realizing that God loves me
and I love her. Knowing that my Soul is my soulmate, my happiness
and love. Understanding that I’m deeply content and happily
married to her.
Ch. : If you could change one thing about yourself, what would
it be ?
R. : If I could, I would increase my spiritual awareness,
powers and state of oneness. I would strengthen my mind and
increase my brain/mind power that I may be able to walk in the
spirit while out of the body.
Ch. : Any last words you would like to share ?
R. : Yes. The first 40 years of my life I lived in ignorance
of my divine self. Nor was I educated academically. I was a jewler
professionally and began that when I was 10 years old. When I was
free, I did not realize that I was also an artist, musician and a
mystic of the spiritual world. Nevertheless, I have begun to
fullfill the plans that my Soul destined for me in realizing these
gifts and using them now to obtain awareness that reveals love.
To me, love is supreme, not as I once perceived it, but in a clean
pure light that is the greatest force of the universe. This is the
kind of love that I try to fill my soul with through meditation
practise and life. Death Row has provided the release (so needed
from the busy and loud world of illusion) , so , in this state of
oppression and denial I have found myself. I believe this was
predestined as a final hope in case I did not choose my earlier
chances to become aware.
I did not have to come here to find Awareness, but this was my
last choice and regardless of which choice, the outcome was secure.
Reinaldo A. Dennes
