Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin today announced that Superior Court Associate Justice Netti C. Vogel sentenced Travis Garcia (DOB: 3-23-91), with a last known address of 81 Boston Street, Coventry, to 50 years at the ACI for the murder of 32-year-old Jeannine Garcia (no relation) of Providence. Garcia pled guilty to one count of second degree murder on June 12, 2012.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that on November 7, 2009, Travis Garcia visited his friend, Jeannine Garcia, in her Cathedral Square apartment in Providence. Once inside the apartment, Travis Garcia tied, bound and strangled Jeannine. After Jeannine took her last breath, the defendant stuffed her lifeless body into a closet. He then stole her automobile and drove around with friends as if nothing happened. Later that evening, while driving alone in Connecticut, the defendant was involved in a motor vehicle accident. Police discovered Jeannine's body when they went to inform her of the motor vehicle accident.
"Jeannine Garcia's last moments of life were undoubtedly terrifying, humiliating and painful, and there are simply no words to describe the depravity and cruelty of Travis Garcia," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "What Travis Garcia did to his friend, Jeannine, strikes at the heart of us all. She opened her door on a cold night to a friend in need and he killed her. Jeannine's compassion exemplifies the best in us and Travis Garcia's savagery the worst."
Detectives John Muriel and Angelo Avant and Sgt. William Dwyer led the investigation for the Providence Police and Assistant Attorney General J. Patrick Youngs prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.