In an atmosphere of sadness and tears, we were in the office of Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson, who, distressed over the death of taxi driver Roberto Pita, said, "I am going to request that no bail be granted in this case. I will make sure that the guilty party receives a sentence of 25 years to life, and I will use all of my resources in order to achieve justice. And I will not just do it as District Attorney, but as a father as well."

It was admirable to see how the American press, the two Spanish-language television channels and Ecuador News (the only Ecuadorian media) were interested in the case and were present at the press conference held by the Federation of Taxi Drivers in New York and its spokesman Fernando Mateo, who is taking care of the case's details, moving forward the legal matters for the family of our fallen taxi hero.

Roberto German Pita Bajaña, 37, lost his life when he began his shift at 12:54 a.m. last Sunday at the hands of a 20-year-old delinquent named Francisco Santos, who shot at him several times. And, apparently, with the shots, Pita lost control of the car, which crashed against the wall of P.S. 306 at 40 West Tremont Avenue.

Fernando Mateo said, "Roberto's death has had an impact upon the hearts of all of us in this industry. He was a good man who worked for his wife, Jessica Cacpata, his two children, Joshue, 12, and Gary, 8, and helped his family in Ecuador. When a man is robbed or loses his life so young, we have to ask for justice and better protection, and more than anything, we have to ask for unity among all the drivers to always remember Roberto. The Ecuadorian community has suffered in the past few months, but we will always be here to support them with our organization to demand justice. This crime is terrible, and holding back tears is difficult."

Ecuadorian Consul Pablo Bonifaz was also present and somewhat upset told us, "What happened to our countryman Roberto Pita is regrettable, and we are here with the local authorities and in contact with the District Attorney, who assures us that he will keep us informed, and will keep track of the case. The wake and transfer of his remains will be coordinated by Ecuador House and the SENAMI [Secretaria Nacional del Migrante – National Secretariat for Migrants], and at this time the body is still going through the forensics and all of the legal processes. It is foreseen that the body will be returned to Ecuador next Friday."

"The wake and transfer of the body of our Ecuadorian brother Roberto Pita will be our responsibility as representatives of the National Government through the Secretariat of Migrants. There should be no doubt for those who intend to violate the rights of Ecuadorians that we will be defending Ecuadorians' interests, and in this case we will also support the family in terms of the wake and the transfer of the body to Ecuador, where a government delegation will receive it," said Pablo Calle of Ecuador House, who was also present.

Jessica Cacpata, Pita's wife, sad with a breaking voice, told us, "We lived together for 17 years with our two children, Joshue and Gary. I feel such great pain at the loss of my husband, my sweetheart. He earned the love of his whole family and friends, who have shown how important Roberto was to them. Many of them are helping me with the legal and other details of the case.

"The night of Saturday, May 9, 2009 was the last time we spoke. He called our home in Guayaquil at 11:20. He was always sweet and asked me how I was and if I was doing anything for Mother's Day. He always spoke to his children, and he even asked Joshue that day what he wanted for Christmas and that surprised me as well.

"He wanted to spend Father's Day in Guayaquil, that is why he worked hard, and look at what life is like, it took my sweetheart away and in such circumstances. I will take him back to his neighborhood on 20th Avenue and Capitán Najera for his wake, and afterwards, the burial will be in the Guayaquil General Cemetery.

"In terms of the authorities here, I ask for justice and the full weight of the law for the murderer who destroyed my home and my family. That criminal killed a father, my husband, a good son, a friend. He did not kill an animal."

Santiago Alvarez, his cousin, said, "It's a huge loss; we ate together, hung out, shopped together, just a great cousin."