Florida Jury Recommends Death Penalty for Man Who Smothered Wife and Stepdaughters
Alberto Sierra pleaded guilty to the 2013 murders and now faces execution after jurors heard details of the crime.
A Florida jury has recommended the death penalty for Alberto Sierra, 42, who pleaded guilty to murdering his estranged wife, Gladys Machado, and her two young daughters, Julia and Daniela Padrino, in November 2013. The recommendation came Tuesday after jurors heard graphic details of the triple homicide over the past month.
Machado and her daughters, ages six and three, were found dead inside their Miami-Dade apartment on November 13, 2012. Prosecutors stated that earlier that day, Sierra abducted the family from a mall, drove them to an apartment while arguing with Machado, locked her in a room, and tortured her for hours while the children watched.
He subsequently smothered all three victims with a plastic bag. Prosecutors also revealed that Sierra sexually assaulted Gladys and Julia. A neighbor discovered the bodies in a closet after smelling a foul odor emanating from the residence.
For Machado's murder, 11 out of 12 jurors recommended a death sentence. All jurors agreed on an execution recommendation for Julia's murder, and eight voted for the death penalty in Daniela's case. Under Florida law, at least eight jurors must recommend the death penalty for it to be considered.
A Spencer hearing, a post-trial hearing for capital cases in Florida, is scheduled for November 2. During this hearing, Sierra's defense team can make a final plea for a life sentence instead of death. Ultimately, a judge will decide his sentence.
During the proceedings, family members of the victims delivered emotional impact statements. Michael Padrino, the biological father of Julia and Daniela, became visibly distressed while recounting the pain of losing his daughters. "My daughters were not just names in a case. They were full of laughter, fun, and they deserved to live a long life," he stated.
Michael Padrino Jr., who was five years old when his mother and sisters were killed, also shared a tearful statement. He recounted memories of the three and directly addressed Sierra, saying, "And you, you took them. You know you did!" Sierra appeared to stare blankly as the young man hyperventilated on the stand.
Prosecutors urged the jury to recommend the death penalty, with State Attorney Abbe Rifkin stating, "It might be hard. But it’s right. It’s just. And it’s time." Sierra's defense team argued for a life sentence, citing a childhood brain injury he sustained after being hit by a car.