PHOENIX — Prosecutors are intending to seek the death penalty against a suspect allegedly involved in two murders, including the "brutal" death of a 30-year-old man at Mountain View Park.
Leonardo Santiago, 21, was arrested last year after Phoenix police connected him to the deaths of Bernardo Pantaleon and Osvaldo Hernandez Castillo. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office recently filed paperwork indicating they want to seek the death penalty against Santiago if he's convicted of the crimes.
Castillo was shot to death in March 2023 near 25th and Dunlap avenues. Police allegedly found a video on Santiago's phone linking him to Castillo's death.
Santiago is also one of the four suspects arrested for the November killing of Pantaleon, whose mutilated body was found at a local park. After his death, the victim's family members reported receiving disturbing photographs of Pantaleon's body from someone on Instagram.
In an interview with police, Santiago allegedly admitted to killing Pantaleon due to "an unwanted advance that made him uncomfortable," court records show.
MCAO does not intend to seek the death penalty against the other suspects allegedly involved in Pantaleon's death.
*Editor's Note: The above video is from an earlier broadcast*
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