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LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KFOX) — A man in New Mexico was found guilty of murder in a case where police said he decapitated a man and played soccer with his severed head.
On Wednesday, Joel Arciniega-Saenz was found guilty of first-degree murder after he reportedly stabbed 51-year-old James Garcia 84 times, cut off a finger, decapitated him and then kicked the head around playing soccer with it, according to Dona Ana District Attorney Fernando Macias
The incident happened at a Las Cruces park in 2021, and was a lengthy legal process as Arciniega-Saenz's mental competency to stand trial was challenged.
"Despite lengthy challenges, we remained steadfast in our pursuit of justice for those affected," stated Macias. "We extend our condolences to the family and loved ones of James Garcia and reaffirm our commitment to holding violent offenders accountable and ensuring the safety of this community."
Booking photo for Joel Arciniega-Saenz (Las Cruces Police Department)
On the day of the murder, police were called to Apodaca Park after reports of a body in the roadway.
According to police documents, when officers arrived they learned Garcia had been decapitated and stabbed multiple times and found Arciniega-Saenz with dried blood on his hands and a bloody knife along his side.
While police investigators were reviewing the crime scene, they also found Garcia's middle finger.
Police investigators found a shoe print near a pool of blood at the park where the victim's finger was also found, stated the court document.
During the interrogation at the Las Cruces Police Department, Arciniega-Saenz told investigators that he was homeless and slept at the park.
Arciniega-Saenz allegedly told investigators that Garcia had raped his wife four years ago, but he refused to identify his "wife."
He then described to police investigators what led to the killing.
Arciniega-Saenz said he, his wife and Garcia had been hanging out four days before the killing.
The court document states that Arciniega-Saenz told police the three of them had fallen asleep.
He said when he and his wife woke up, Garcia was gone with their belongings.
Arciniega-Saenz said he followed Garcia to Apodaca Park to confront him.
During the confrontation, Arciniega-Saenz took a knife from Garcia and stabbed him several times and cut his head off.
He then told investigators that he dragged Garcia's body to the street and played soccer with Garcia's head.
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KFOX) — A man in New Mexico was found guilty of murder in a case where police said he decapitated a man and played soccer with his severed head.
On Wednesday, Joel Arciniega-Saenz was found guilty of first-degree murder after he reportedly stabbed 51-year-old James Garcia 84 times, cut off a finger, decapitated him and then kicked the head around playing soccer with it, according to Dona Ana District Attorney Fernando Macias
The incident happened at a Las Cruces park in 2021, and was a lengthy legal process as Arciniega-Saenz's mental competency to stand trial was challenged.
"Despite lengthy challenges, we remained steadfast in our pursuit of justice for those affected," stated Macias. "We extend our condolences to the family and loved ones of James Garcia and reaffirm our commitment to holding violent offenders accountable and ensuring the safety of this community."
Booking photo for Joel Arciniega-Saenz (Las Cruces Police Department)
On the day of the murder, police were called to Apodaca Park after reports of a body in the roadway.
According to police documents, when officers arrived they learned Garcia had been decapitated and stabbed multiple times and found Arciniega-Saenz with dried blood on his hands and a bloody knife along his side.
While police investigators were reviewing the crime scene, they also found Garcia's middle finger.
Police investigators found a shoe print near a pool of blood at the park where the victim's finger was also found, stated the court document.
During the interrogation at the Las Cruces Police Department, Arciniega-Saenz told investigators that he was homeless and slept at the park.
Arciniega-Saenz allegedly told investigators that Garcia had raped his wife four years ago, but he refused to identify his "wife."
He then described to police investigators what led to the killing.
Arciniega-Saenz said he, his wife and Garcia had been hanging out four days before the killing.
The court document states that Arciniega-Saenz told police the three of them had fallen asleep.
He said when he and his wife woke up, Garcia was gone with their belongings.
Arciniega-Saenz said he followed Garcia to Apodaca Park to confront him.
During the confrontation, Arciniega-Saenz took a knife from Garcia and stabbed him several times and cut his head off.
He then told investigators that he dragged Garcia's body to the street and played soccer with Garcia's head.
