Manuel Pardo

Overview

Manuel Pardo, Jr. was a former police officer who was convicted of nine counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. He was executed by lethal injection in Florida on December 11, 2012.

Timeline

• 01/22/1986 — Pardo committed first-degree murder (Mario Amador); in case information, the offense date was listed as 01/22/86.
• 01/28/1986 — Pardo and Rolando Garcia arranged to meet Michael Millot, who had provided Pardo with silencers.
• 04/20/1988 — The jury recommended death and Pardo was sentenced as to multiple counts including death sentences for first-degree murder counts; sentencing judge was The Honorable Phillip W. Knight.
• 05/13/1988 — Pardo’s direct appeal to the Florida Supreme Court was filed (case information lists direct appeal filings).
• 05/31/1990 — The Florida Supreme Court affirmed Pardo’s conviction and the sentence.
• 07/27/1990 — Rehearing was denied.
• 08/27/1990 — Mandate was issued.
• 05/13/1991 — The United States Supreme Court petition for writ of certiorari was denied.
• 10/26/1990 — A Petition for Writ of Certiorari was filed in the United States Supreme Court (case information).
• 05/26/1992 — A 3.850 motion was filed in state circuit court (CC# 86-12910-A & 86-14719).
• 11/10/2003 — A 3.850 appeal was filed in the Florida Supreme Court (FSC# 03-1966).
• 06/29/2006 — The Florida Supreme Court affirmed the trial court’s denial of Pardo’s 3.850 motion.
• 10/19/2006 — Motion for rehearing was denied (this case only).
• 11/06/2006 — Mandate was issued.
• 11/22/2004 — A petition for a writ of habeas corpus was filed in the Florida Supreme Court (FSC# 04-2244).
• 06/29/2006 — The habeas petition was denied.
• 11/06/2006 — Mandate was issued.
• 11/02/2007 — A petition for writ of habeas corpus was filed in the United States District Court (Southern District), No. 07-cv-22867.
• 04/23/2008 — The petition was denied.
• 06/10/2008 — A motion to alter judgment was denied.
• 07/09/2008 — A certificate of appealability was denied.
• 09/29/2008 — A habeas appeal was filed in the United States Court of Appeals (USCA# 08-14053).
• 11/10/2009 — The United States Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of the petition.
• 12/11/2012 — Pardo was executed by lethal injection in Florida; he was pronounced dead at 7:47 p.m.

Other details

Identity and custody details

• Name: Manuel Pardo
• Displayed as: PARDO, MANUEL JR.
• DC Number: 111983
• Race: WHITE
• Sex: MALE
• Hair color: BROWN
• Eye color: BROWN
• Height: 5'10'
• Weight: 134 lbs.
• Birth Date: 09/24/56
• Initial Receipt Date: 06/09/1988
• Current Facility: UNION C.I.
• Current prison sentence history included death sentences.

Prior employment and disciplinary events

Pardo began his law enforcement career in the 1970s with the Florida Highway Patrol and graduated at the top of his class at the academy. He was fired in 1979 from the Florida Highway Patrol for falsifying traffic tickets.

He was soon hired by the police department in Sweetwater, a small city in Miami-Dade County. In 1981, Pardo was one of four Sweetwater officers charged with brutality, but the cases were dismissed. He was fired four years later after he flew to the Bahamas to testify at the trial of a Sweetwater colleague accused of drug smuggling; Pardo lied, telling the court they were international undercover agents.

During sentencing narratives, Pardo was described as a military veteran and a former Florida Highway Patrol trooper who turned to drug dealing after being fired from the Sweetwater Police Department.

Codefendant and status

Rolando Garcia was identified as a codefendant and was on Florida Death Row awaiting execution. The record stated that Garcia was currently engaging in the appeals process regarding his death sentences.

The offence

Victims

The victims named were:

• Mario Amador
• Roberto Alfonso
• Luis Robledo
• Ulpiano Ledo
• Michael Millot
• Fara Quintero
• Sara Musa
• Ramon Alvero
• Daisy Ricard

Criminal episodes and conduct attributed

Pardo was described as committing robberies with killing across multiple episodes between January and April of 1986.

He was convicted of eight counts of first-degree murder in case number 86-12910-A, with an additional count in case number 86-14719-A, and admitted he intentionally killed all nine victims because he believed them all to be drug dealers who “have no right to live.” When Rolando Garcia was shown pictures of the victims during interrogation he stated, “We took care of all these people.”

The State presented a theory that Pardo and Garcia were drug dealers eliminating the competition. Both Pardo and Garcia worked for Ramon Alvero, who was described as a drug dealer.

When the body of Daisy Ricard was found on 04/23/86 at approximately 6:30 p.m., it was found in a wooded area of Hialeah. She had been shot in the head by two different .22 caliber pistols and was missing a shoe. A casing and her watch were found near her body, and Pardo’s fingerprints were found on the watch.

On the morning of 04/24/86, Alvero’s body was found in the trunk of a car approximately one mile away from where Daisy’s body was found. Ricard’s matching shoe and two other .22 caliber casings were also found in the trunk of the car, and Alvero was shot with the same two guns that Ricard was shot with.

The night of 04/26/86, Pardo and Garcia flew to New York City and told doctors at a hospital that Pardo had been shot in the foot while visiting NYC; the bullet removed from Pardo’s foot matched those taken from the bodies of Ricard and Alvero. A search warrant was then obtained for Pardo’s apartment, and a casing matching a casing from Alvero’s car was found in Pardo’s apartment. A calendar book linking seven other unsolved homicides was also found in Pardo’s apartment, with entries on the dates of each homicide and newspaper clippings. Numerical counting appeared in the calendar book corresponding to the number of murder victims. The victims included Mario Amador, Roberto Alfonso, Luis Robledo, Ulpiano Ledo, Sara Musa, and Fara Quintero.

An additional episode described included the discovery of the body of Michael Millot in the railroad section of Miramar, Florida between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. on 02/28/86. Garcia and Pardo told a witness they believed the victim to be a federal agent or informant. A witness stated that Pardo told him the victim was killed in a motor vehicle owned by Garcia’s wife; the vehicle was searched and evidence related to the crime was recovered.

Pardo and Garcia were linked to multiple unsolved homicides and a killing spree described as involving drug dealers.

Weapons, images, and statements attributed

Pardo took photos of victims and recounted details in his diary, which was found along with newspaper clippings about the murders and Nazi memorabilia collection. Pardo was linked to the killings after using credit cards stolen from the victims and accidentally shooting himself in the foot during the final murder.

In trial proceedings, Pardo admitted he killed all nine victims and testified against counsel’s advice, insisting he was sane despite his insanity defense. He acknowledged the killings while claiming that the victims were drug dealers with no right to live and that he was doing society a favor.

In his testimony and statements at trial, Pardo described the victims as “parasites” and “leeches” and stated they had “no right to be alive.” He also stated he shot victims multiple times after death and had taken Polaroid snapshots, burning some afterward. He testified that he “sent their souls to the eternas fires of damnation of hell,” and that he enjoyed shooting them.

A diary with Pardo’s handwriting and newspaper clippings was described as tying him to the murders.

People

Manuel Pardo, Jr.

Manuel Pardo, Jr. was the defendant. He was described as a former police officer, former Florida Highway Patrol officer fired after falsifying traffic tickets, and later as a Sweetwater police officer fired after testifying in the Bahamas and lying about being international undercover agents.

At trial, he took the witness stand against counsel’s advice and admitted the killings while supporting an insanity defense. The jury rejected the insanity defense.

At sentencing, he requested the death penalty. In trial proceedings and later appellate descriptions, his testimony included references to being a “soldier” and asking for the “glory” of ending his life.

Verbatim quotes

Pardo was quoted in connection with his daughter as follows:

• “Airborne forever. I love you, Michi baby,” referring to his daughter.

Pardo was quoted in connection with the deaths and his motives as follows:

• He told the court that the victims were drug dealers who “have no right to live.”
• When asked about the killings, the record included the statement that he killed each and every victim because they were drug dealers.
• He described the victims as “parasites” and “leeches,” and said they “have no right to be alive.”

Additional quotations included:

• “We took care of all these people.” (attributed in the record to Rolando Garcia during interrogation when shown pictures of the victims)
• “Airborne forever,” as part of his last words.
• “I love you, Michi baby.”

Rolando Garcia (codefendant)

Rolando Garcia was the codefendant identified with DC# 115751. He was arrested on 05/23/86 and charged with 24 counts: eight counts of first-degree murder and 16 related offenses (CC# 86-12910). Garcia had two mistrials and petitioned to sever; the court severed five counts related to the Musa/Quintero murders and kept the remaining 19 counts together for trial. The jury convicted Garcia for the Amador, Alfonso, Alvaro, and Ricard murders, and voted to acquit on all counts directly related to the murders of Robledo and Ledo. The jury recommended death for three of the four convictions of first-degree murder and life for the remaining count, and the court imposed four death sentences. The record stated Garcia was awaiting execution while engaging in the appeals process.

Trial participants and expert witnesses

• Trial attorney: Ronald S. Guralnick – Private Attorney
• Direct appeal: Calianne P. Lanz – Special Assistant Public Defender Attorney
• Collateral appeals: Leor Veleanu – CCRC-S
• Sentencing judge: The Honorable Phillip W. Knight
• Prosecutor referenced: David Waksman
• Defense expert named: Dr. Syvil Marquit (clinical psychologist)
• Other expert witnesses included: Dr. Leonard Haber; the record also referred to other court-appointed experts (psychologists and forensic psychiatrists) including Dr. Merry Haber and Dr. Sanford Jacobson and Dr. Lloyd Richard Miller, and a jail psychiatrist.
• For the mitigation-related narrative and discussion, the record described court-appointed expert evaluations and testimony regarding sanity and competence.

Verbatim quotes

Richard Seres and Ronald Guralnick were mentioned in postconviction proceedings, but verbatim quotations provided in the record included:

• “Reasonable doubt was certainly not viable in this particular case.” (attributed to trial counsel, Ronald Guralnick, during the evidentiary hearing)

Investigation

• Pardo’s diary and Nazi memorabilia were found along with newspaper clippings about the murders.
• Pardo was linked after using credit cards stolen from the victims.
• A search warrant was obtained for Pardo’s apartment after evidence tied him to Alvero and Ricard.
• A casing matching a casing from Alvero’s car was found in Pardo’s apartment.
• A calendar book linking seven other unsolved homicides was found in Pardo’s apartment, with entries and newspaper clippings.
• Bullet removed from Pardo’s foot matched bullets taken from bodies of Ricard and Alvero.
• Pardo’s fingerprints were found on Ricard’s watch.
• Pardo’s palm print was found on a pawn slip for jewelry pawned the day after Musa and Quintero murders, and Garcia used credit cards belonging to several victims after their murders.
• Authorities described the killing spree as involving “drug rip-offs” and quantities of cocaine taken from the scene.

Arrest

Pardo and Rolando Garcia were described as being arrested on murder charges on 05/07/86 (in narrative) and Garcia was arrested on 05/23/86 with 24 counts in the codefendant information.

Trial

Charges and indictment changes

The record listed an indictment and amendments:

• 01/11/86 — Indicted as follows:
  • Count I: First-Degree Murder (Mario Amador)
  • Count II: First-Degree Murder (Roberto Alfonso)
  • Count III: Robbery
  • Count IV: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm While Engaged in a Criminal Offense
  • Count V: First-Degree Murder (Luis Robledo)
  • Count VI: First-Degree Murder (Ulpiano Ledo)
  • Count VII: Robbery
  • Count VIII: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm While Engaged in a Criminal Offense
  • Count IX: First-Degree Murder (Sara Musa)
  • Count X: First-Degree Murder (Fara Quintero)
  • Count XI: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm While Engaged in a Criminal Offense
  • Count XII: Forgery – Credit Card
  • Count XIII: Uttering a Forged Instrument – Credit Card
  • Count XIV: Grand Theft Second Degree
  • Count XV: Forgery – Credit Card
  • Count XVI: Uttering a Forged Instrument – Credit Card
  • Count XVII: Grand Theft Second Degree
  • Count XVIII: Forgery – Credit Card
  • Count XIX: Uttering a Forged Instrument – Credit Card
• 03/11/86 — Indictment amended:
  • Count XI: Robbery
  • Count XII: Robbery
  • Count XIII: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm While Engaged in a Criminal Offense
  • Count XIV: First-Degree Murder (Ramon Alvero)
  • Count XV: First-Degree Murder (Daisy Ricard)
  • Count XVI: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm While Engaged in a Criminal Offense
  • Count XVII: Forgery – Credit Card
  • Count XVIII: Uttering a Forged Instrument – Credit Card
  • Count XIX: Grand Theft Second Degree
  • Count XX: Forgery – Credit Card
  • Count XXI: Uttering a Forged Instrument – Credit Card
  • Count XXII: Grand Theft Second Degree
  • Count XXIII: Forgery – Credit Card
  • Count XXIV: Uttering a Forged Instrument – Credit Card

Pardo pled not guilty on 03/11/87.

Jury verdicts and recommendations

• 04/15/88 — Jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts of the indictment.
• 04/20/88 — Jury recommended death by votes stated for multiple counts in case record.

Defendant’s testimony and sanity/competency

Pardo testified in the guilt phase against counsel’s advice. The record stated the jury rejected the insanity defense.

The trial court found one aggravating circumstance as to each murder: that it was committed in a cold, calculated, and premeditated manner without moral or legal justification. The court found additional aggravating factors applicable to individual murders including hindering or disrupting the exercise of a governmental function and pecuniary gain.

Sentencing

Death sentences and noncapital terms

Pardo was sentenced to death for each first-degree murder count and also received prison terms for noncapital counts.

In the sentencing record:

• Count I: First-Degree Murder (Mario Amador) — Death
• Count II: First-Degree Murder (Roberto Alfonso) — Death
• Count III: Robbery — 15 years
• Count IV: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm While Engaged in a Criminal Offense — 15 years
• Count V: First-Degree Murder (Luis Robledo) — Death
• Count VI: First-Degree Murder (Ulpiano Ledo) — Death
• Count VII: Robbery — 15 years
• Count VIII: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm While Engaged in a Criminal Offense — 15 years
• Count IX: First-Degree Murder (Sara Musa) — Death
• Count X: First-Degree Murder (Fara Quintero) — Death
• Count XI: Robbery — 15 years
• Count XII: Robbery — 15 years
• Count XIII: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm While Engaged in a Criminal Offense — 15 years
• Count XIV: First-Degree Murder (Ramon Alvero) — Death
• Count XV: First-Degree Murder (Daisy Ricard) — Death
• Count XVI: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm While Engaged in a Criminal Offense — 15 years

Counts 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, and 16 were to run concurrently with each other.

Sentence amendment

On 04/21/88, Pardo’s sentence was amended:

• Counts 3, 7, 11, and 12 — three-year mandatory minimum to run concurrently to each other.
• Counts 4, 8, 13, and 16 — the court suspended entry of sentence.

Appeals

Florida Supreme Court direct appeal

Pardo v. State, 563 So.2d 77 (Fla. 1990). (Direct Appeal) The Florida Supreme Court affirmed Pardo’s conviction and the sentence of death.

Florida Supreme Court citation also listed as FSC# 72,463 with affirmation on 05/31/90; rehearing denied 07/27/90; mandate issued 08/27/90.

Florida Supreme Court postconviction

Pardo v. State, 941 So.2d 1057 (Fla. 2006). (PCR) The record described Pardo’s 3.850 motion proceedings and the denial of relief affirmed; rehearing was denied on 10/19/06 (this case only); mandate issued on 11/06/06.

Florida Supreme Court habeas petition

Pardo v. Secretary, Florida Dept. of Corrections, 587 F.3d 1093 (11th Cir. 2009). (Habeas) The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court’s denial of habeas relief.

The Florida Supreme Court habeas petition citation was FSC# 04-2244, with petition filed on 11/22/04 and denied on 06/29/06, mandate issued on 11/06/06.

Federal habeas and certificate issues

• United States District Court (Southern District) habeas: petition filed 11/02/07; petition denied 04/23/08; motion to alter judgment denied 06/10/08; certificate of appealability denied 07/09/08.
• United States Court of Appeals habeas: appeal filed 09/29/08 and USCA affirmed denial on 11/10/09.
• United States Supreme Court petition for writ of certiorari was described as filed 04/05/10 (USSC #09-10099 pending in one narrative portion).

Verbatim quotations from appellate reasoning

The Florida Supreme Court direct appeal included the judge’s statement in the cross-appeal discussion:

It is the view of this Court that the Legislature intended this aggravating factor to refer to offenses other than the ones for which he is being accused and tried. Thus, notwithstanding the fact that the Defendant has been convicted of several offenses in this trial, same is not an aggravating factor. This is not a correct statement of the law.

Outcome

Pardo’s conviction and death sentence were affirmed on direct appeal and after postconviction and habeas proceedings.

Aftermath

Last meal and final words

His last meal consisted of roasted pork, red beans, roasted pork, plantains, avocado, tomatoes and olive oil. For dessert, he ate pumpkin pie and drank egg nog and Cuban Coffee.

His final words included:

• “Airborne forever.