Hands Off Cain
NEWS ARCHIVE·DEATH PENALTY·DECEMBER 16, 2003

A jury agreed Robert Gene Garza, 20, should die for...

A jury agreed Robert Gene Garza, 20, should die for his role in the slaughter of 4 young women

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A jury agreed Robert Gene Garza, 20, should die for his role in the slaughter of 4 young women. District Judge Aida Salinas Flores pronounced the death sentence. The gang member, nicknamed "Bones," was convicted Thursday of capital murder in the Sept. 5, 2002 ambush slayings of the women. Authorities say Garza and fellow gang members had been gunning for 2 others and killed the women by mistake, firing more than 50 rounds at a car. Police concluded that a jailed gang leader ordered a hit on 2 women who had testified against him. The 4 who were killed, as well as the 2 who survived the ambush, were undocumented immigrants from Mexico who worked as barmaids at a cantina. The intended targets were not in the car; Maria de la Luz Bazaldua, 31; Lourdes Yesenia Araujo Torres, 20; Danitzene Lizett Vasquez Beltran, 21, and Denise Lares Sanchez, 22, were killed. 3 other gang members have been charged in the shooting, and are awaiting trial. Garza also is facing capital murder charges in a January massacre in Edinburg that left 6 dead.
SOURCES
  • (Sources: San Antonio Express-News)