A Texas man, aged 66, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for the murder of his ex-wife, whom he stabbed 95 times after learning she planned to move out of their shared home with a new partner. Martin Garcia was handed down the sentence by Bexar County Criminal District Judge Ron Rangel on Monday, following a plea deal with the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. Garcia pleaded no contest to a single count of murder, with the agreement capping his sentence at 45 years. Judge Rangel also credited Garcia with 454 days of time already served.
During the sentencing hearing, the victim’s sons delivered impact statements, painting a picture of their mother, Teresa Moreno Garcia, as a loving parent who had suffered domestic abuse at the hands of Martin Garcia. One son spoke of his mother’s struggle to escape the abusive relationship, while the other urged listeners to pay attention to victims of domestic violence, revealing that they had been aware of Martin Garcia’s abusive behavior for years.
Despite their divorce, the Garcias continued to live together due to financial difficulties. The situation escalated when Teresa Garcia informed her ex-husband that she had met someone new and planned to move out. This revelation reportedly triggered Martin Garcia’s violent attack, as reported by the San Antonio Express-News.
Martin Garcia also testified during the hearing, expressing his love for his ex-wife and expressing remorse for his actions. He stated, “I loved her very much. She was the only one I loved. I did what I did, I am very sorry, but I loved her.”
The murder took place on the night of December 5, 2023. San Antonio Police Department officers responded to an emergency call from a residence on Channing Avenue. The caller, who identified himself as Martin Garcia, confessed to stabbing his wife to death. Upon arrival, first responders found Teresa Garcia dead at the scene from multiple stab wounds.
Martin Garcia was found at the scene with a self-inflicted wrist wound. He was taken to a local hospital for medical evaluation before being arrested without incident. According to the arrest report, Martin Garcia admitted to the 911 dispatcher that he had killed Teresa Garcia with a knife following a heated argument, during which he accused her of infidelity.
The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy on Teresa Garcia and confirmed the cause of death as multiple sharp force injuries, ruling the incident a homicide.