Bio

Bernardo Aban Tercero was born on August 20, 1977, in Chinadega, Nicaragua. He grew up in a country facing various challenges, which shaped his early life. Not much is known about his childhood or family life. However, it is noted that he worked as an auto mechanic and a laborer before his criminal activities began.

In 1997, at the age of 19, Tercero moved to the United States. He settled in Harris County, Texas. He was still relatively young and continued to work in labor jobs. Tercero had not been in any serious trouble with the law before his arrest. He had no prior prison record.

On March 31, 1997, he became involved in a serious crime that would change his life’s path. He was arrested later and faced significant legal consequences for his actions. Tercero was sentenced to death on December 13, 2000, for his role in the crime.

Murder Story

On March 31, 1997, Bernardo Aban Tercero, along with a co-defendant, entered the Park Avenue Cleaners in Harris County, Texas. They shot and killed Robert Keith Berger, who was 38 years old and had brought his 3-year-old daughter with him to the shop. Witnesses reported that two men demanded money from the clerk. While Tercero and his co-defendant were in the shop, Berger confronted them, leading to a struggle.

During this struggle, Tercero testified that Berger grabbed for the gun Tercero was holding. Tercero claimed that he had been trying to back away when Berger approached him. The altercation lasted for a couple of minutes, during which both men pushed the gun back and forth. Eventually, the gun discharged, striking Berger in the neck.

After the shooting, Tercero and his co-defendant fled the scene. Tercero traveled to Florida, while his co-defendant went to Mexico. Later, Tercero was arrested by Border Patrol agents. He was charged with capital murder and faced the possibility of the death penalty. On December 13, 2000, he was sentenced to death for his actions during the robbery and murder of Robert Keith Berger.