The suspects had the expectation of finding money and drugs that could be sold to finance Forde's vigilante nativist group, Minutemen American Defense (MAD), which patrolled Arizona's border with Mexico.

[1] Gina Marie Gonzalez, the 31-year-old wife of Raul Flores and the mother of Brisenia, was in the home during the attack and was shot three times.

A picture of Brisenia presented during the trial was a significant factor in reaching the decision: "A little girl, with bright red fingernails; she's wearing a white T-shirt and turquoise-colored pajama bottoms.

Jason Eugene "Gunny" Bush (born LaGrande, Oregon (1974-08-11) August 11, 1974 (age 50)[9]) of Meadview, Arizona, was MAD's National Director of Operations.

Bush had previously been charged with the September 1997 execution-style killing of an Aryan Nation associate, Jonathan Bumstead, for supposedly committing the "crime" of "being a 'race-traitor'".

According to information provided to Washington state detectives, Bush is alleged to have shown up at the homes of acquaintances covered in blood and asked to be allowed to clean up, after he had "just finished taking care of some business."

[15] In describing herself in 2007 when she ran unsuccessfully for a city council seat in Everett, Washington, Forde said that she had been a promoter of a grunge rock band and had worked as a youth counselor, aircraft factory worker, and as a cosmetologist.

Court records show that she served time in juvenile lock-ups for repeated convictions involving theft, burglary, and prostitution.

In 1989, a male friend sought court protection from Forde, claiming that she had physically attacked him and threatened to hurt herself with a knife.

Forde's brother alleged that she fabricated the story, and authorities closed the case due to insufficient evidence.

[18] In 2007, Forde became involved in vigilante activities after she joined the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps (MCDC), which eventually expelled her.

Forde was posting updates to the website of Jim Gilchrist's Minuteman Project organization, which had her listed as their Border Operations Manager.

"[24] Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said that Forde planned and ordered the murder of Raul Flores.

[26] Albert Robert Gaxiola (born (1967-02-09) February 9, 1967 (age 58)[27]), of Arivaca, Arizona, is believed to have provided intelligence about drug activities in the area to the M.A.D.

[29][30] The case has been featured on the Investigation Discovery program Deadly Women, appearing as the first story of the episode "Death Knock".