Event Honors Memory Of Slain Girl

by Ashlie Hardway

EL PASO — Amid a sea of black leather jackets stood dozens of pink balloons, all in honor of little Jacqueline Gonzalez.

Three-year-old Jacqueline was found murdered inside the trunk of her mother’s car in November. Her mother, Yara Belen Perez, and step-father, Francisco Castaneda, have been charged in her death.

The motorcycle group, Road Dogs, held their annual “Biker’s in Bowling Shoes” on Sunday, gathering in her honor.

More than 15 biker groups participated in the gathering, which will help benefit Jacqueline’s family. “Everyone thinks very bad of bikers because the way we dress or the way we talk,” said the group’s president, Art Jeddery. “This is where we show we are good people and our hearts are in the right place.”

“It really doesn’t matter what group you’re from. All that matters is everyone istogether and having fun whilehonoring thememory of Jacqueline,” her biological father, Marco Gonzalez.

“All I can do is hang in there. There is nothing I can do but stay strong,” he said.