Santiago Garduno
Santiago Garduno | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1893 |
| Criminal penalty | Death |
| Details | |
| Victims | 3–4 |
Span of crimes | 1900s–1932 |
| Country | United States |
| State(s) | New Mexico and Colorado |
Santiago Garduno (1893 – July 21, 1933) was an American serial killer who committed at least three murders in Colorado and New Mexico in the early 20th century. Garduno was sentenced to death for his final murder, and became one of the first two inmates to be executed by electric chair in New Mexico.
Initial murders
Garduno served time for a murder committed in Colorado. He was also charged with murder, but that case did not go to trial after key witnesses against him died.[1]
On January 1, 1925, several men, including Garduno, got into a fight at a dance party in Truchas, New Mexico. During the fight, Garduno pulled out a gun and fired several shots, killing a young man named Paulin Barela and wounding Paulin's brother. The Barela brothers had been members of the American Legion and were well respected in the community. Garduno was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 9 to 10 years in prison.[2][3] He was paroled in 1930.[4]
Final murder
On October 7, 1932, Garduno poisoned his 16-year-old stepson, Filemon Martinez, with whiskey laced with strychnine.[5] Garduno was convicted of first degree murder. The jury did not make a recommendation for mercy, making a death sentence mandatory.[6] Upon passing the sentence, the judge told Garduno "this is the third time you have been tried for taking human life: so far as this court is concerned it will be the last."[7]
After his appeals failed, Garduno was executed in the electric chair at the
Garduno met with his mother and sister before he was executed. His last meal consisted of a chicken dinner. Garduno's last words were "I forgive everyone for whatever has been done. I hold no malice."[8] He was pronounced dead at 1:12 AM.
See also
- Capital punishment in New Mexico
- List of people executed in New Mexico
- List of serial killers in the United States
References
- ^ "Santiago Garduno suspect". The Santa Fe New Mexican. 1933-07-20. p. 5. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ "Santiago Garduno shooting". The Santa Fe New Mexican. 1925-01-02. p. 2. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ "Santiago Garduno manslaughter". Arizona Republic. 1926-07-01. p. 5. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ "Parole Garduno". The Santa Fe New Mexican. 1932-10-10. p. 2. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ a b "Capital Punishment or Compassion Executions in New Mexico". asu-ir.tdl.org. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ "Santiago Garduno guilty 1". The Santa Fe New Mexican. 1933-04-20. p. 1. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ "Santiago Garduno sentenced to death". The Santa Fe New Mexican. 1933-04-24. p. 1. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ "Clipped From Clovis News-Journal". Clovis News-Journal. 1933-07-21. p. 5. Retrieved 2022-04-27.