Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1902-05-26
The Sequel of an Atrooious Double Murder
Perpetrated at Coyote, Rio Arriba
County, More Than Five Years
Ago by Five Men.
DISTRICT COURT FOR RIO ARRIDA COUNTY
At TERRA AMARILLA ADJOURNED FRIDAY

and DeSideriO Martinez was held unde
SIS, 900 bond to be tried at the next teri
of court for the same crime. The sen
J tence of the first named r three wa
made comparatiye''Slig because San
doval had been sentenced to only sew
en- years They can be tried again af
ter having served their terms for on
Of the murders, as they were sentences
for but one murder.
Francisco de Herrera was sentenced
to two years in the penitentiary fo
wife beating.
| Noe Gallegos was sentenced to five
years for assault with intent to kill.
Jose Archuleta was sentenced to one
year for cattle stealing.
Court adjourned this forenoon.
The story of the atrocious double
murder for which Juan Gallegos, Man
uel Martinez and Ricardo Lobato were
sentenced, is as follows:
On the morning of March s, 1897, tht
murdered bodies of Silverio Martinez
and Mrs Desiderio Sandoval were
found lying together in house in Coy.
ote, Rio Arriba county, in such a posi-.
ton as to lead to the belief that they
had been intimate. To add to this be-
lief, the husband of the dead woman
boldly announced that he had come
home late the previous night, and find
ing the couple together shot them both
dead He then got upon his horse, rode
off to Santa Fe and gave himself up to
the authorities, telling the same story.
He was tried in the next term of the
Rio Arriba county district court for the
murder of his wife and was acquitted,
there being but little testimony but his
own, to the effect above stated.
But by and by it began to be whisp-
cred around that there was more to the
and tried for the murder of the man,
Martinez The evidence was not very
strong, much of it hearsay and difficult
of confederation. The verdict was gull
ty Of murder in the third degree with
recommendation to.nercy, and Sando-
val was given a seven years sentence
in the penitentiary. Other reports be-
gan to reach the ears of the authorities
of conspiracy in which Silverio Mar
tinezs money was the stake. He
had been a partner of Desiderio Martin
ez in little saloon and store at Coy
ote, and was also reported to have con-
siderable cash besides. At his death,
Desiderio Martinez cody took possess
sion of everything. which he has retain
ed to this day.
Desiderio Martinez was the main
witness against Sandoval on his second
trial. but claimed to have had nothing
to do with the crime. Gallegos and
Manuel Martinez were arrested and In
dicted. The latter had been out of the
penitentiary but about two months for
stabbing man. He had passed much
Of his life in Jail and is regarded as a
desperate criminal. Juan Gallegos is a
little, timid fellow and was regarded as
tool Of the others. Great efforts were
made to get him to tell he story of the
murder, but without avail.
Manuel Martinez offered to turn
states evidence and pleaded guilty to
murder in the third degree. He told a
rambling story of the conspiracy, much
fof It evidently false, claiming to have
been an innocent spectator. When
Gallegos heard Of this and that Manuel
was to be used as witness against
him, he told the story Of the conspira-
cy and the crime.
According to Gallegos story, and the
officials are positive it is true in every
respect Silverio Martinez came to Coy
ote from Utah with considerable n1on-
|ey. Desiderio Martinez, who had a
store and saloon, found this out, and
induced him to become a partner. Sill
tverio paying him $400 in cash and show
ing a large roll Of money besides, tell
ing him he had plenty Iof money. Des-
iderio Martinez called In Manuel Mar
tinez, Ricardo Lobato and Gallegos, all
relatives by marriage, to his assistance
and the plot was matched. Sandoval,
the husband, was made wild with jeal-
ousy BY the repeated stories Of the inti-
macy Of Silverio and his wife. until he
was ready for. murder for revenge. The
others were to have part Of the money.
On the night Of the murder, the un-
suspecting Sifverio Martinez was invit-
ed to go over to Sandovals house. With
him went his partner, Desiderto Mar
tfnez, Manuel Martinez, Ricardo Loba-
| to, Juan GalleGos and the husband,
sandoval Arriving at the house. Sill
Iverio was induced to so in ahead Of
| the others and speak to the woman sit
| ting by the fire place. He did 70. Short
lly after the others followed. As soon a.
they were inside, Sandoval drew re-
Ivolver and shot silverio three times
He fell against the wall in leaning
position ana Sandoval struck him three
times On the head with the butt Of hiE
revolver. spfashing the wall with
blood. Desiderio Martinez then tooh
the gun from sandovaI and shot silver.
10 twice. killing Nm.
Meantime the woman. Mrs. sandoval
sat by the fire place She was in al
advanced state Of pregnancy. Remem-
bering that Desiderio Martinez had
once told her that II her husband did
| not fix her he would, me knelt before
| the red han 4ed murderer put up her