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A Houston man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend. The Harris County District Attorney, Kim Ogg, announced the verdict and described the crime as a "premeditated murder carried out by a jealous ex-boyfriend."
The convicted man, Santos Perfecto Melendez-Granados, 35, was found guilty of shooting 45-year-old Carlos Pineda to death on September 23, 2021, in an apartment complex parking lot. Pineda, who had recently started a new relationship with Melendez-Granados' ex-girlfriend, was walking with her when they noticed a black Toyota Tundra belonging to Melendez-Granados.
As they approached the truck, Melendez-Granados pulled up and shot Pineda twice in the back with a shotgun before fleeing the scene. A witness who called 911 reported seeing a man walking towards the truck and then being shot with what sounded like a "big gun."
Following the incident, law enforcement agencies responded to the scene and reviewed surveillance footage, which showed the black truck backing into a parking spot next to a dumpster. The footage captured the moment when Pineda was shot from the driver's side of the truck.
After a two-day search, Melendez-Granados was located by a task force and attempts were made to pull him over. He initially evaded officers in his vehicle but was eventually apprehended after attempting to flee on foot.
During the trial, prosecutors presented a recorded phone conversation between Melendez-Granados and his ex-girlfriend, in which he said, "I lost my mind for you." The ex-girlfriend also testified that she had found a GPS device on her vehicle after the murder, leading her to believe that Melendez-Granados had been tracking her.
Assistant District Attorneys Andrew Figliuzzi and Erandy Marquez, who prosecuted the case, emphasized the impact of the crime on the victim and his dreams of a better life. Marquez stated, "Pineda left his home in El Salvador in hopes of the American dream. Unfortunately, that dream was cut short by the defendant." Figliuzzi added, "The defendant shot an innocent man in the back in the darkness of night. Now a jury has delivered justice to his face in the light of a courtroom."
This tragic case highlights the devastating consequences of jealousy and violence in relationships. The victim, Carlos Pineda, had a promising future ahead of him, which was abruptly taken away. His family and friends are now left to deal with the heartbreak of losing a loved one.
The sentencing of Santos Perfecto Melendez-Granados to life in prison brings a measure of closure and justice to the victim's family and the community. The verdict sends a strong message that acts of violence will not be tolerated in Harris County.