Family of Mom, Toddler Waits 30 Years for Murder Trial

Explicit content warning

09/26/24 • 24 min

1 Listener

Dante Santoni was brutally murdered, days after celebrating his third birthday. He, his mother Connie Villa, 28, along with Villa's longtime partner and Dante's father, Francisco Santoni, 59, were found stabbed to death on Aug. 11, 1994 in their east El Paso home.

But it wasn't until 2022 when El Paso police announced they had arrested a suspect responsible for this heinous act. Arturo Ortega Garcia was extradited from Mexico and has been in the El Paso County Jail awaiting trial ever since.

Villa's surviving siblings talk about their 30-year-long wait for a trial, during which they hope to learn why their sister and nephew were killed.

To see photos of Connie, Dante and Francisco, visit the website.

UPDATE (09/26/24): The judge set Ortega Garcia's case for trial on March 3, 2025. Read the update on the KVIA website.

Villa's surviving siblings talk about their 30-year-long wait for a trial, during which they hope to learn why their sister and nephew were killed.

To see photos of Connie, Dante and Francisco, visit the website.

UPDATE (09/26/24): The judge set Ortega Garcia's case for trial on March 3, 2025. Read the update on the KVIA website.

Previous Episode

5 Years Later: Trial for Aug. 3, 2019 Walmart shooter still pending

The November 5, 2024 election could change who leads the prosecution of the Aug. 3 Cielo Vista Walmart shooting trial.

As the Borderland marks the fifth anniversary of the deadliest mass shooting in El Paso's history, we are nowhere near the start of the state trial for the man who claimed responsibility for the massacre in a federal court last year.

The lack of a definitive trial date for the shooter means the two men vying to be El Paso's District Attorney are both preparing prosecution strategies while they hit the campaign trail for November's election.

Read the full article: Will Lead Prosecutor on the Walmart Shooting Trial Remain the Same after the Nov. Election?

Next Episode

Woman on the Run: The Search for Desiree Skaf

Janet Balderrama, 25, was critically wounded in a crash caused by a drunk driver, according to El Paso police. She died on July 15, 2013, leaving behind two children. The woman accused of intoxication manslaughter, Desiree Skaf, 21, eventually accepted a plea deal to serve 7 years in a state prison. A chaotic showdown in the courtroom the day of sentencing led to the judge sending Skaf away for 15 years. Skaf only served three weeks behind bars before she was granted a new trial and released from prison on bond. But while waiting for the new trial, Skaf fled. Many believe she's spent the last eight years evading justice outside the U.S. Janet's mother and best friend both wonder if they will ever receive justice.