Lubbock Jury Upholds Death Sentence - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

A Lubbock murderer will return to death row. Lubbock County Prosecutor Jennifer Basett said, "It's not a victory for anyone but it's also necessary and must be done."

It took a Lubbock jury less than two hours to sentence Joe Franco Garza to death on Monday. A Lubbock Federal judge overturned Garza's original death sentence in February, causing attorneys to try the sentencing phase of the trial again. Garza strangled 71-year-old Silbiano Rangel to death in 1998. He then stole his money and truck.

Lubbock County District Attorney Matt Powell says Garza continues to be a danger within the prison system. Powell said, 'We see how he continued to handle himself in the prison and he continued to be a danger to the guards and other inmates and personal that work in the prison."

Rangel's family was present at the verdict and feels justice was served.

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