Papo Newman
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Francisco 'Papo' Newman participated in the murder of the Puerto Rican television entertainer Luis Vigoreaux on January 17, 1983. Newman was arrested, confessed to the crime, and testified against his accomplices in exchange for a reduced sentence. He identified David López Watts as his accomplice and Vigoreaux's wife Lydia Echevarria as the mastermind (in 1986, she was found guilty and sent to prison for 254 years). Newman stated that he was addicted to drugs and that he had taken drugs before committing the crime.
Newman confessed that it was he who entered Vigoreaux's car and ordered Vigoreaux to drive to the place where the murder was committed. He also confessed that after López Watts stabbed Vigoreaux, he hit the victim on the head with a car wrench. Ultimately, Newman confessed that it was he who spread gasoline over Vigoreaux's car and set it on fire, burning Vigoreaux to death as he was still alive and locked in the trunk of the car.
Newman was charged with first degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, conspiracy, and aggravated damages. He has expressed regret about his actions, attributing his behaviour at the time to his drug addiction.
[edit] References
- The People v. Echevarría Rodríguez, 128 DPR 299. San Juan, Puerto Rico: Superior Court of Puerto Rico. April 25, 1991.
