In 1986, Garcia was charged with nine murders. Earlier convictions in some of these cases were reversed due to errors. Eventually, he was acquitted of five, but convicted of the January 1986 murders of Mario Amador and Roberto Alfonso. The jury found Garcia guilty and later recommended death penalties by a vote of 10-to-2 for Amador and 7-to-5 for Alfonso. The jury agreed with the jury recommendation. This is Garcia's direct appeal.