Man is guilty of beheading victims and playing football

A New Mexico man beheaded a 51-year-old victim and used his head as “football” and was convicted of murder.

Joel Arciniega-Saenz, 28, of Las Cruces, was found guilty of first-degree murder on Wednesday, March 5 for the severe killing of James Garcia announced on June 20, 2021.

Macias said in a statement that Arciniega-Saenz, who was homeless at the time of the crime, “had a terrorist attack on the victims, stabbing Garcia 84 times with a small switching blade.”

The attacker “beheaded Garcia and cut his fingers off,” Marcias said. Arciniega-Saenz later “played football” with the victim’s head at Apodaca Park in Las Crooks.

Arciniega-Saenz said he kicked the victim in the head in 14 cars in the park, according to a possible cause affidavit obtained by local radio station KTSM.

“It’s a great day for justice,” Chief Deputy Attorney Spencer Willson said in a statement. “Our office remains committed to working hard to make our streets safer, one case at a time.”

The affidavit said that on the night of the attack, an officer found Garcia’s body in the middle of a road on the north side of the park, about 10 yards from his head.

Arciniega-Saenz told detectives that he, his wife and Garcia were hanging out in the park, saying he was sleeping four days before the murder, the affidavit said.

The affidavit says that on the day of the murder, he and his wife fell asleep and when they woke up they found all their property had been stolen. They believe Garcia is responsible.

Arciniega-Saenz was upset and found Garcia and faced him, admitting to police that he took a knife from Garcia and stabbed it several times, then stabbed him several times according to the affidavit.

Afterwards, he said he dragged Garcia’s body into the middle of the street and “played football.”

Chief Deputy District Attorney Melissa Garcia thanked the police for their perseverance to bring the case to justice.

“Although our office has prosecuted the case, the real hero is the Las Cruise Police Department official.

Macias noted that the verdict “was marked by challenges surrounding the capabilities of the defendants after a lengthy legal process.”

He continued: “Despite the challenges for a long time, we are firmly pursuing justice for those affected.”