Bio

Angel Mayora Medrano was born on November 28, 1956. In January 1987, he was living at a federal correctional halfway house for substance abusers in Tucson, Arizona. He was still under federal custody, but he had work privileges and weekend passes.

Medrano knew Patricia Pedrin because he had served time in prison with her husband. A few days before the murder, Pedrin’s husband asked Medrano to put new tires on her car. Medrano replaced the tires on January 31, 1987, the same day Pedrin was killed.

After his conviction, Medrano’s defense raised questions about cocaine use and mental health. An expert later testified that he had cocaine dependence and paranoid personality traits. However, the court found that there was not enough evidence to prove he was significantly impaired at the time of the murder.

Murder Story

On January 31, 1987, Angel Mayora Medrano was living at a federal halfway house in Tucson, Arizona. He was allowed to leave the facility for work and weekend passes. That same day, Medrano replaced tires on Patricia Pedrin’s car. He knew Patricia because he had served time in prison with her husband.

After midnight, Medrano went to Patricia’s home. Court records state that he entered the house, sexually assaulted her, and stabbed her multiple times with a knife. Patricia was pregnant at the time of her death.

On the morning of February 1, 1987, Patricia’s body was found inside her home. Her young children and another child were the ones who discovered her. Investigators later found evidence that connected Medrano to the crime, including clothing evidence.

After police issued an arrest warrant, Medrano was found in Juarez, Mexico. He was arrested on November 24, 1987, and taken into custody at the border in El Paso, Texas. After his arrest, he confessed to killing Patricia.

Medrano was charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, sexual assault, and burglary. His trial began on July 11, 1988, and he was convicted on July 15, 1988. On August 22, 1988, Medrano was sentenced to death for the murder. He also received prison sentences for the other crimes.

His death sentence was later vacated on appeal because one aggravating factor was ruled improper. However, his murder conviction remained in place. After resentencing, a judge again imposed the death penalty, and the Arizona Supreme Court affirmed the sentence on April 2, 1996. Medrano continued filing appeals, but his conviction and death sentence remained in effect.