ADVERTISEMENT 2
ADVERTISEMENT 3
Error: No articles to display
ADVERTISEMENT 1
ADVERTISEMENT 4
HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) —
A convicted killer in Texas was executed Tuesday for fatally shooting another man in a robbery that yielded just $8.
No late appeals were filed for Juan Martin Garcia, who was lethally injected for the September 1998 killing and robbery of Hugo Solano in Houston. Solano, a Christian missionary from Guadalajara, Mexico, had moved his family to the city just weeks earlier so his children could be educated in the U.S.
Garcia, 35, apologized to Solano's relatives in Spanish in the moments before the execution. Solano's wife and daughter sobbed and told the inmate they loved him.
"The harm that I did to your dad and husband — I hope this brings you closure," he said from the death chamber gurney, his voice breaking. "I never wanted to hurt any of you all."
He told his sister and several friends in English that he loved them. "No matter what, remember my promise," Garcia said. "No matter what, I will always be with you."
As the dose of pentobarbital began, he winced, raised his head and then shook it. He gurgled once and snored once before his movement stopped. He was pronounced dead 12 minutes later, at 6:26 p.m. CDT.
Solano's wife, Ana, and her daughter raised their arms in an apparent prayer inside a death chamber witness room. Afterward, Ana Solano said she wished the execution had not taken place and that she accepted Garcia's apology because it came "from his heart."
She said a person deserves to survive so they can share what they learn from their mistakes with others in similar situations. "It's about God. It's about Jesus," she said.
In an interview with The Associated Press last month, Garcia acknowledged he shot Solano but denied the robbery, an accompanying felony that made it a capital case.
Garcia, who was linked to at least eight aggravated robberies and two attempted murders in the weeks before and after Solano's death, also insisted jurors had unfairly penalized him because he didn't take the witness stand in his own defense at trial.
The U.S. Supreme Court refused to review Garcia's case in March. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles rejected a clemency request from him last week.
The execution was the 11th this year in Texas, which carries out capital punishment more than any other state.
Evidence at the 2000 trial and testimony from a companion identified Garcia, who was 18 at the time of the killing and a street gang member, as the ringleader of four men involved in Solano's shooting and robbery.
Garcia, his two cousins and another man had already carried out a carjacking when they spotted the 36-year-old Solano early on Sept. 17, 1998, getting into his van to go to work.
Eleazar Mendoza, who was sentenced to 55 years in prison for aggravated robbery, testified that Garcia approached Solano and pointed a gun. Mendoza said Garcia ordered Solano to surrender his money then shot him when he refused.
Garcia told the AP that it was Mendoza's idea to rob Solano and that Solano escalated the confrontation by resisting.
"He punches me," Garcia said from a visiting cage outside death row. "First thing that came through my mind is that the dude is going to try to kill me. He grabbed the gun with both of his hands and it discharged."
Solano was shot four times in the head and neck.
Another defendant, Raymond McBen, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for aggravated robbery and paroled a year ago. The fourth man charged, Gabriel Morales, was given a life sentence for capital murder.
Three more Texas inmates are scheduled for executions in upcoming weeks. They include Licho Escamilla, who is set to die next week for the 2001 shooting death of Dallas police officer Christopher Kevin James.
DEL RIO, Texas –
U.S. Border Patrol agents working in the Del Rio Sector seized more than 1,300 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated value of more than $1,000,000 in five different incidents.
“Our agents are committed to disrupting the flow of illegal narcotics into the country,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Rodolfo Karisch. “I commend our agents for their hard work and dedication for protecting our nation’s borders.”
On September 3, at approximately 3 p.m., an agent from the Comstock Station, conducting linewatch operations discovered foot sign in an area known for contraband smuggling near a ranch west of Langtry. As the agent tracked the sign he found several green military style duffel bags that had been abandoned, behind some brush. A search of the area for subjects indicated that they traveled south back towards Mexico. The duffel bags contained 473 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated valued $379, 120. The marijuana was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
On September 6, at approximately 6 a.m., agents from the Eagle Pass South Station, conducting linewatch operations on a local ranch near Eagle Pass observed foot sign of several individuals walking away from the Rio Grande. As agents followed the foot sign they discovered five large military style duffel bags laying in the brush. An extensive search of the immediate was conducted and no subjects were located. The bags contained 217 pounds of marijuana at an estimated value of 173, 800. The marijuana was turned over to DEA.
On September 11, at approximately 7 p.m., agents from the Eagle Pass South Station, conducting linewatch operations, responded to suspicious activity on a local ranch. As agents arrived to the location of the suspicious activity, they encountered two large bundles hidden in the cane on the river’s edge. A search of the immediate area did not result any apprehensions. The bundles contained 217 pounds of marijuana at an estimated value of 173, 840. The marijuana was turned over to DEA.
On September 22, at approximately 10 p.m., agents from the Eagle Pass Station, conducting linewatch operations were notified of two subjects making an illegally entry into the U.S. near a ranch southeast of Eagle Pass. As agents responded to the area they encountered foot sign of the two individuals leading away from the river. After following the foot sign, agents apprehended one individual, a Mexican national attempting to conceal himself the brush. After a search of the area, agents discovered two duffel bags nearby. The duffel bags were found to contain 41 pounds of marijuana, valued at $33,384. The marijuana and the subject was turned over to the Maverick County Sherriff’s Office for prosecution.
On October 3, at approximately 2 p.m., an agent from the Comstock Station was conducting roving patrol operations near FM1024 and Highway 90. Upon arriving to the location the agent observed a white Chevy pickup. As the agent began following the pickup the driver began to drive erratically. The agent activated his emergency lights to perform an immigration inspection of the occupant. The pickup pulled over to the side of the road, and as the agent exited his service vehicle, the pickup sped off. The pickup eventually pulled up to a nearby ranch and the driver absconded. A search of the pickup revealed seven green military duffel bags in the bed and in the cab area. There were an additional three bricks wrapped in brown cellophane located in the tool box. An immediate search of the area for the absconded driver was conducted with negative results. The green duffel bags contained a total of 447 pounds of marijuana, valued of $357,760. The contraband will be turned over to the DEA.
During Fiscal Year to Date 2015, the Del Rio Border Patrol Sector has seized more than $11.8 million worth of narcotics. The Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is part of the South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations. To report suspicious activity, call the sector’s toll free number at 1-866-511-8727.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) —
The state has agreed to buy three buildings near the Alamo as part of a revamp of the historic shrine and its surrounding plaza in downtown San Antonio.
General Land Office spokeswoman Brittany Eck said Monday that the agency expects to close on the Woolworth, Crockett, and Palace buildings by the end of the year, pending inspections.
Land Commissioner George P. Bush's office is teaming with San Antonio to create a master plan to makeover the Alamo. Set to be ready next year, the plan is costing the city $1 million, with Bush's office covering additional costs.
Eck said buying the buildings should be a "significant consideration in the long-term master planning process," though nothing will change immediately.
She wouldn't speculate on the buildings' future use, at least for now.