Introduction
A retired police officer, Nicholas Tartaglione, was sentenced to four consecutive life terms in prison for the murder of four men in Orange County.
Details of the Crime
- Incident: The murders occurred over a botched drug deal eight years ago.
- Victims: The victims were Martin Luna, Miguel Luna, Urbano Santiago, and Hector Gutierrez.
- Methods: One victim was beaten and strangled to death, while the other three were shot execution-style.
- Discovery: The case remained unsolved for months before Tartaglione’s arrest. The victims were buried in a shallow grave on his property.
Court Proceedings
- Conviction: Tartaglione was convicted in federal court last year.
- Sentencing: He was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences, with the judge describing him as delusional and a monster.
- Victims’ Families: Family members of three victims gave emotional statements in court, urging the judge to ensure Tartaglione never sees the light of day again.
Tartaglione’s Defense
- Denial: Tartaglione maintained his innocence, claiming he was framed and describing himself as an animal-rescuing former law enforcement officer.
- Judge’s Response: The judge dismissed his denials, citing overwhelming evidence of his brutal crimes, which involved torture, planning, greed, and cover-ups.
Aftermath and Appeal
- Defense Attorney’s Statement: Tartaglione’s defense attorney highlighted his history of rescuing animals.
- Judge’s Remarks: The judge noted that Tartaglione seemed to have more sympathy for animals than for his victims, suggesting racism as a factor.
- Appeal: Tartaglione’s defense has vowed to appeal the conviction.
Conclusion
The case remains a point of intense emotion for both the victims’ families and Tartaglione’s supporters, with legal proceedings expected to continue as the defense seeks an appeal.
