A Cuban wanted for a double homicide committed in Miami almost 37 years ago He has been in custody since March 12, according to Tampa Police Department officials.
Lazaro Santana, 79 years oldHe was wandering around an area of Hillsborough County without an ID and without a clue, and after he was arrested and fingerprinted, agents guarding him determined he weighed a Arrest warrant issued since August 21, 1985.
Santana would have murdered Pedro Otero and Carlos Romero in cold blood that daythe latter his accomplice in a previous robbery, due to disagreements over the damaged loot.
According to the warrant at the time Santana would have committed a robbery with Romero and shortly thereafter refused to share the profits. In retaliation, Romero, with Otero’s help, had gone to Santana’s house and stolen some items.
The double murder occurred in a house at 2330 NW and Calle 9 de the little Habana, where police records say Santana barged in and shot both men, who were seated at a kitchen table; then he fled the scene.
According to a police source, the murder was witnessed by the sister of one of the victims, who Santana can still hold accountable for her actions.
It is not clear whether the Cuban, who remains in detention without the possibility of bail and will turn 80 next June, will be able to avoid a trial for this crime because of the defendant’s age. The old man faces two counts of first-degree murderaccording to the court order.
After his arrest, Santana was being held in the Hillsborough County Jail and was transferred to Miami-Dade Jail last Thursday.
We need your help:
Like you, thousands of Cubans in Spain in the United States in Mexico in Canada read and support CiberCuba’s independent journalism. Our editorial independence begins with our economic independence: no organization from any country funds CyberCuba. We make our own agenda, we publish our opinions and we give a voice to all Cubans, without outside interference.
To date, our newspaper has only been financed by advertising and our own funds, but that limits our options. For this reason we ask for your help. Your financial contribution will allow us to conduct more investigative journalism and increase the number of staff covering the island, while maintaining our editorial independence. Every contribution, big or small, will be very valuable for our future. Starting at just $5 and taking just a minute of your time, you can start collaborating with CiberCuba. Thanks.
contribute now