Crime, Dan Markel, Deaths, Murder

More Details About The Arrest In The Killing Of Dan Markel

We know a little bit more, but many details are being withheld because the investigation is still ongoing.

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Sigfredo Garcia

Sigfredo Garcia

As we reported early this morning, a 34-year-old man by the name of Sigfredo Garcia has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the 2014 killing of Florida State University law professor Dan Markel. We now have some additional details, in the wake of a press conference and other releases from the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD).

As TPD officials explained at their press conference this morning, a probable cause affidavit for Garcia got approved last night, and authorities arrested him in Broward County, just north of Miami, at 9:11 p.m. yesterday. He is being held in custody pending extradition to Leon County, where Tallahassee is located.

If you tuned into the press conference, you heard many questions get deflected. From the Tallahassee Democrat (which has provided commendably comprehensive coverage of the case throughout its duration):

The Tallahassee Police Department is not releasing details in the arrest of a suspect in the 2014 killing of FSU law professor Dan Markel because of an ongoing investigation…. The probable cause affidavit in his arrest has been sealed.

“This case is ongoing and continuing,” said TPD spokesman Dave Northway. “So if we were to release all of the details of the case, that would jeopardize our case that we are continuing to work.”

Sources close to the investigation say Markel was killed in a murder-for-hire plot and that more arrests are expected.

As noted in an update to our original story, Garcia “has a criminal history, according to Miami-Dade County records, that includes strong arm robbery, burglary, drugs and concealed weapons violations.” In addition, police report finding a baggie containing cocaine in his wallet when he was searched incident to arrest last night. It’s not clear how many convictions he has or how much time he has spent in jail. (Per the Democrat, he has no history of incarceration in Florida state prisons.)

The TPD said it would release additional information and documents when permitted to do so by state law. Officers also stated that the department has been in contact with the Markel family throughout the investigation.

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We will continue to cover this case closely. Please feel free to email us or text us (646-820-8477) with any information you might be willing and able to share.

Man charged with Dan Markel’s death [Tallahassee Democrat]

Earlier: Man Charged In Connection With The Killing Of Dan Markel
A Prominent Law Professor Is Shot At Home And Killed

David Lat is the founder and managing editor of Above the Law and the author of Supreme Ambitions: A Novel. You can connect with David on Twitter (@DavidLat), LinkedIn, and Facebook, and you can reach him by email at dlat@abovethelaw.com.

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