marco flores_ the boy who burned inside - metro - the boston globe
DESCRIPTION
murderTRANSCRIPT
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MarcoFloresasachild.Above:TheviewfromMarcoshousetothehomeofhisneighbor,JaimeGaldamez.
The boy whoBY MARIA CRAMER | GLOBE STAFF
TherewasnoonetoprotectMarco
Flores,and,just9whenitstarted,
hecouldntprotecthimself.Butthen
onedayherealizedthatothershe
lovedwereindanger,andthatitwas
uptohimuptohimtoendit.
Thisstoryisbasedonextensivecourtandpolicedocumentation,including
MarcoFloressrecordedconfessiontopoliceandhisvideorecordingofthe
murder,whichwasviewedbytheGlobewithpermissionofthecourt.
Dialogueinquotationmarkswastakenfromrecordedsourcematerial.All
burned inside
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Fotherdialoguewasreconstructedfromtherecollectionsofthespeakerand,
wherepossible,corroboratedbyanotherpersonparticipatinginthe
conversation.Floreswasinterviewedmanytimesinprisonandbyphone.
uryrisinginsidehim,MarcoFloresgatheredwhathewould
need.
Achokechainhedboughtforthepitbullhismothermadehimgive
awayanallinonetoolwithfoldingknifebladesandaFlipvideo
camera,sonomatterwhathappenedtohim,theworldwouldknow.
Hepickedupthecameraandaimeditathimself.
Todayistheday,hesaid.Imoffnow.Imgonnagoforabliss
walk,thenImgonnagoheaddownthere.
Hepaused,hisdeepbrowneyeslookingawayforaninstantthen
back.Enjoyyourday.
Itwasawarmsummerevening,May22,2011.Aweekearlier,
Marco,17,hadwalkedacrossthestreettohisneighborsbasement
apartment.There,hedcaughtaglimpseofsomethingthatunsettled
him.
Whatisthatpicture?Marcoasked.
Nothing,JaimeGaldamezreplied.
Lyingatopastackofphotos,ithadlookedatfirsttoMarcolikean
ordinarysnapshot,onethatmighthavebeentakenatanyofthe
countlessfamilycookoutsorgettogetherswhereJaime,a31year
olddishwasheratadowntownpizzajoint,wasalwaysincluded.He
RAJNEESHHighlight
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hadbeen,whenMarcowassmall,hisafterschoolbabysitter,a
friendsoentwinedwiththeFloresfamilythattheyconsideredhim
oneoftheirown.
Marcowalkedbackacrossthestreettotheneat,slatecoloredduplex
inEastBostonwherehisfamilylived.Hedidntsleepthatnight,or
thenext.Hecouldntgetthepictureoutofhismind,ofhis6year
oldnephew,smilingandaffectionate,onJaimeslap.
Marcothoughtheknewwhatthepicturemeant.No,heknewexactly
whatitmeant.
Sittinginhisroom,blastingtheangriestmusichecouldfind,Marco
startedtoplan.HeporedoveracopyofForensicScience:An
IntroductiontoScientificandInvestigativeTechniquesthathehad
foundinhisbiologyclassroom.Withthecamera,herecorded
himselftalkingthroughtheideacomingtogetherinhishead.
Heknewwhathehadtodo.Therewouldbeplentyoftimelater,for
himandforothers,toworryaboutwhetheritwasright.
Todayat6p.m.,Imgoingtobeginmymission,hesaid.Itallends
tonight.
LongbeforethatdaybeforeheevencametoAmericaMarco
TulioFloreshadfelttwiceabandoned.Hisfatherdisappearedwhen
Marcowastooyoungtoremember.Whenhewas3,hismotherleft
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thesmallSalvadorancityofMetapan,wheretheylived,forthe
UnitedStates.Shelefthiminhis14yearoldbrotherOscarscare
andpromisedthatonedayshewouldsendforthem.
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Marcoat6yearsoldwhenhefirstarrivedinBoston.Hewasfullofenergybutshyandhadfewfriendshisfirstyearsinthenewcity.(Floresfamily)
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ShebecameafigmentofMarcosmemory,asweetvoiceonthe
phonefromsomewherefarawayandthenameonpackagesthat
cameinthemail.ARedSoxjersey.Stuffedanimals.Toremind
himselfwhatshelookedlike,hewouldgofindthephotographthey
keptofher,takeitfromitsenvelope,andstareattheimage,avery
tallwomanstandinginadoorway.
OnasunnydaywhenMarcowas6,Oscartookhimfromthe
countrysidewheretheylivedtoasmallplazainthecity.There,a
middleagedwomanandayoungermanwaitedforthemwithacar.
Oscartookhisbrotherbythehandandledhimtothem.
YouregoingtoseeMom,Oscarsaid.Heputtheboyinthecarwith
thestrangers.Marcobawledwithfear.
YoullbeOK,Oscarsaid.
ThestrangersdroveMarcotoavillage,wheretheyputhiminanew
car,withnewcompanions.Itwentonthatway,fromcartocarand
villagetovillage.
SomewhereinMexico,newpeopleputMarcoonaplanewith
anotherboyboundfortheUnitedStates.Whentheplanelandedin
Boston,Marcowalkedoffthejetwayandsaw,beamingathim,a
small,roundwomanwearingasweatshirtwithabigBostonB.He
didnotrecognizeher.Sheswepthiminherarms,laughingand
crying.
Shenoticedhistwofrontteethmissing.
Youlooktallerinyourpicture,hesaid,andshelaughedharder.
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Outside,therewassnow.Thesizeofthebuildingsintheskyline
awedhim.
Noneofitheldhisattention.
Imwithmymom,hesaidtohimself,repeatingthewordsasthey
drovetohisnewhomeinEastBoston.IcantbelieveImwithmy
mom.
Marcosmothertriedtomakeupforlosttime,spendingevery
minuteshecouldwiththeboy.ShetookhimrollerbladingatRevere
Beach,ortoplaysoccerinthepark.Whenitsnowed,sheleaptwith
himintobigpilesandmadesnowangels.Marcowasfullofenergy
andcravedherattention.
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Vamos,Mama,hewoulddemand.Letsgo!
Butshewasgoneoften.Sheworkedlonghourscleaningofficesin
theBackBay.Therewasrenttopay,andshewastryingtosavefor
thefuture,forsomethingbetterforherchildren.Andshehadtosave
forOscarspassagefromElSalvador.
Ittooktwoyearstodothat.WhenOscararrived,hemovedinwith
hismother,brother,andsister,theeldestofthethreesiblingsand
thefirsttocometoBoston.Butthejoyofthereunionquicklygave
waytoreality.Thereweremorebillstopay,andOscarsoonwentto
Asachild,Marcolovedtorollerbladeandplaysoccer.Oneofhisfavoritecompanionswashismother,whoplayedwithhimwhenevershehadtimeofffromwork.(Floresfamily)
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work,too.Hegotacleaningjoblikehismotherandworkedsixdays
aweek.Sheworkedseven.Shewastheretomakebreakfastfor
Marcocafconlecheandtoastandtodrophimoffatschool.
Then,sheandOscarmadethetriptotheglitteringofficebuildings
acrosstheharbor,notreturninguntillongafterdark.
Marcosmotherworriedabouthim.Hewasshyanddidntknow
Englishwell.Hehadfewfriends.Histeacherslikedhissweet,quiet
demeanor,andheexcelledatschoolwhenhetried.Butmoreoften
thannot,hewoulddaydreamandfallbehind.
Marcoisalwaysintheclouds,histhirdgradeteachertoldMarcos
mother.Hesalwayscountingthestars.
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Marcoexcelledatschoolwhenhetried,buthewaseasilydistracted.Oneofhisteachersremarkedtohismotherthatheoftendaydreamedinclass.(Floresfamily)
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Shehadmanagedtofindpeopletolookafterhimwhileshewasat
workfriendsofthefamily,usually,butitwasaconstantstruggle.
Often,shehadtopay.Once,shecamehometofindthatthewoman
shedhiredhadgottenMarcodrunkonbeer.Shelongedfora
responsiblecompanionforherboy.Someonewhocouldgivehimthe
attentionheneeded.
Itseemedalmostamiracle,then,whenJaimeGaldamezcameinto
theirlives.
Outsidethebasementapartment,whereJaimelivedalone,Marco
heardtheTVblaring.Heopenedthedoorandsteppedintothe
gloomandclutter.
Jaimewasonthecouch,staringglassilyatthenewsonthebigflat
screeninthecorner.
Marcosatdowninachairnearby.Hemovedslowly.Hetookthe
knifeoutofhispocketandplayedwithit.Hewantedtobe
menacing.HepointedtheFlipcameraatJaime.
Whatwouldyousayifthiswasyourlastday?Marcosaid.Poof,
youblewup.Whatwouldyousay?
TheyhadmetJaimeatthehomeofOscarsgirlfriend.Hesaidthey
sharedafamilyname,Flores,andsaidtheyprobablyhadrelativesin
common.
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TheysoondiscoveredthatnotonlyhadhecomefromElSalvador,
buthewasalsofromtheirhometown.Marcosmotherdelightedin
theconnection.
Jaimewas21yearsoldthenandliveddownthestreet.Hesuddenly
seemedtocrosstheirpathseveryday.WhenMarcoandhismother
walkedoutthedooroftheirhousemanymornings,heoften
happenedtobepassing,beefyandrosycheeked,quicktosayhello.
JaimeGaldamezwassoentwinedinthelivesofMarcoandhismotherthathewasconsideredapartofthefamily.(SuffolkDistrictAttorneysOffice)
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Oh,whatacoincidence,hewouldsay.Howareyoudoing?
Soon,hewasvisitingthehouse.WhenMarcosmothercamefrom
thegrocerystore,hewastheretohelplugthebagsinsideortowatch
Marcoskateinthestreetwhilesherestedinside.Whenshestruggled
inhaltingEnglishtocommunicatewiththecablecompany,hetook
thephone.Shethoughtofhimasanotherson.
ItmadeperfectsensetosayyeswhenJaimeeventuallyofferedto
babysitforfree.BythetimeMarcowas9,theboysmotherwas
callingJaimethreeorfourtimesaweek,askingwhetherhecouldbe
attheirapartmentwhenMarcogothomefromsoccerpractice.
Thetwofellintoaroutineonthosedays:Sweatyandmuddyfrom
thesoccerfield,Marcowouldshower,changeinhisbedroom,then
comeouttowhileawaytheeveningwithJaime,playingvideogames
andeatingthepupusasMarcosmotherhadleftforthem.
Oneafternooninthespring,afterMarcoshoweredandchanged,he
returnedtohisbedroomandfoundJaimeinside.HisbacktoMarco,
Jaimewasreachingforsomethingbehindthedresser.Marco
loweredhisgazetothefloorandsawwhathaddroppedthere.A
videocamera.
Whatareyoudoing?Marcoasked.
Jaimesfaceflushed,andhebegantostammer.Marcowasconfused.
Hestartedtospeak,butJaimetalkedoverhim,raisinghisvoice.
Yourmotherwillbereallyupsetifyoutellher,hesaid.Shewillthink
yourelyingandgetmadatyou.
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ThewordsstoppedMarco.Theystayedinhismindthatdayandfora
longtime.Jaimemusthavehiddenthecameraandfilmedhimwhile
hechangedclothes.Thethoughtfilledthefourthgraderwith
revulsion.ButwhatifJaimewasright?Whatifhismotherblamed
Marco?Whatifshedidntlikehimanymore?Whatifshewentaway?
Asthedayswentby,Marcofeltsickenedandafraid.Buthesaid
nothing,andsoeachnewdaywhenMarcoreturnedfrompractice,
Jaimewastheretogreethim.
Inthedarkofthebasementapartment,Jaimesblankfacewaslit
bytheglowoftheTVscreenashelayonthecouch.Lookingathim,
Marcosragemounted.
Afterafewminutes,hegotupandslippedthedogchainaround
Jaimesneck.Yournewchain,hesaid.
Jaimedidntreact.
AreyouOK,Jaime?Marcosaid,hisvoicethickandmocking.
Imfine,Jaimesaid,pointedlystaringattheTV.You?
AreyouOK?Marcosaidagain.
Yo,si.
No,yourenot,Marcosaid.Youresickinthehead.
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Gradually,evenafterhewascaughtwiththecamera,Jaimeregained
Marcostrust.WhateverhehadbeendoingthatdayinMarcos
bedroomdidnthappenagain,andbythetimeMarcoturned10that
fall,Jaimewasbabysittingeveryday.Heboughticecreamand
cheaptoys.SometimesMarcowouldstayatJaimesapartmentuntil
hismotherorbrothercamehomefromwork.
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Ononeofthosecoldafternoons,aftertheyhadwatchedTVinsilence
forawhile,JaimeledMarcointohisbedroom.Duskwasgathering
outsidethewindow,andinthemurkydarkness,Jaimeguidedhimto
thebedandtoldhimtoliedown.MarcosheartpoundedasJaime
kneltbeforehim.Hefeltlikeacarwasabouttohithim.
Dontworry,Jaimewhispered.Imnotgoingtohurtyou.Youre
goingtolikethis.
Whenitwasover,Marcojumpedoffthebedandrantothedoor,
fumblinginthedarkforthehandle.Whenhishandfinallyfoundit,
heflungthedooropenandran,sobbing,towardhome.Hismother.
Hewantedhismother.
Butshewasnthome.Noonewas.WhenMarcoreachedthefront
steps,Jaimecaughtupwithhimandgrabbedhimbytheshoulders.
Dontworry,hesaid.Everythingisgoingtobefine.Justdonttell
yourmother.
Marcoathis11thbirthdayparty.Ashegrewolderandtheabusecontinued,Marcobecamequieter,moredespondent.(Floresfamily)
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Hedidnt.Andnow,whenMarcogothomefromschoolinthe
afternoon,Jaimedrewhimintoabedroomandcooedthattheoral
sexheperformedonMarcowasnormal.Itwaslove.
Thisiswhatfriendsdo,Jaimesaid.
Marcoshuthiseyesandsilentlyprayed:Iwishhewouldgoaway.I
wishhewoulddisappear.
Theyearspassed.Heturned11,then12.Onhisbirthdays,Jaimewas
theretohelpcelebrate.Heboughtexpensivegifts.Marcocamehome
onedaytofindabrandneworangeandblackbicycleontheporch.
Therewasacardonit:ForMarco.
Marco,about11yearsold,poseswithabrandnewbicycleJaimeboughtforhim.JaimerepeatedlygaveMarcogifts,oftenexpensiveitemslikevideogamesandacellphone.(Floresfamily)
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Later,therewasaDVDplayer,anApplecomputer,acellphone,a
newbiketoreplacetheoldone.
Yourespoilinghim,Marcosmotherobjected.Butthegiftskept
coming.
Marcocouldmakenosenseofanyofit.Hefeltsickenedbyshame
andhelplessnessbutalsowonderedwhetheritwastruewhatJaime
said,thatthiswaswhatlovewaslike.
Hegrewsullenandremovedandperformedbadlyatschool.
Manyafternoons,hewenttothelivingroomandturnedtheTVto
AnimalPlanetforhisfavoriteshow.Hewatchedtransfixedasthe
maninsafarikhakisboundeduptreesorplungedintooceansor
riversofmudinpursuitofdeadlyanimalsthatsnappedandwrithed
inhisgrip.Crikey!themanwouldexclaimmerrilyafteraclosecall.
MarcowantedtocrawlintotheTVscenesohecouldbethere,too,so
thoseanimalscouldattackhim,andhecouldfightback.
Jaimewassittinguponachairnow,Marcoinfrontofhimwiththe
camerainchesfromJaimesface.
So,whatdidyoudo?YoudidnttrytokissmewhenIwasalittle
boy?Didyounotsucceedwiththat?Answerthequestion.Whatdid
youdo?
JaimewatchedMarcocarefully.Atlast,hesaidinaquietvoice,I
lovedyou.
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Thegirlwiththeponytailwasgregariousandpretty.Shelaughedat
everything,talkedtoeveryone.Marcowatchedherintheafter
schoolprogramhedsignedupfor,whereinstructorstaughtstudy
skillsandhowtoplaytennis.Hesawinherconfidenceandpoise,
everythinghewanted.
Hewas13now.Jaimedidntcomeafterhimasoftenbutwasstilla
regularpresenceatthehouse,doingMarcoslaundry,cleaninghis
room,cookingforhim.
Marcofeltliberatedbyhisfeelingsforthisnewgirl.Thosefeelings
werealsoarevelation.Foryears,JaimehadacidlywarnedMarcoto
avoidgirls,tellinghimtheywerenogood.Once,heyankedMarco
Whenhewasabout14,MarcoflewtoIndianapolistovisithisoldersister.HewasthrilledtogetoutofBostonandsoexcitedtoflyalone,hedressedupinashirtandtie.(Floresfamily)
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fromafriends13thbirthdaypartybecausegirlswerethere.He
regularlycallednumberslistedonthefamilysphonebillstosee
whetheranygirlsanswered.
Butthegirlwiththeponytaildidnotseematalllikethehorrible
creaturesJaimedescribed.SheandMarcotalkedandgrewclose.
Oneday,hetookherhandandtoldherhelovedher.
Soon,shewasspendingtimeatMarcoshouseandcomingtofamily
cookouts.Jaimeignoredher.Butoneafternoon,whensheand
Marcowereinhisroom,thinkingtheywerealoneinthequiethouse,
therewasasuddenthunderofpoundingonthedoorandashriekof
rage.JaimeburstintotheroomandgrabbedMarcobyhisshirtand
shookhimviolently,shoutinginSpanish.
Puta!hebellowedather.Whore!
Marcopleadedwithhim:Calmdown.ItsOK.
Marcotookthegirlsarmandrushedoutside.Frightened,sheasked
himwhattheoutburstwasabout.
Marcolied:Hewasjustmadatmefortakingsomemoneyhedleft
onthecounter.
Thegirldidntbelievehim,butMarcoofferednothingmore.
Marcohatedthelie,hatedallthelieshehadtotelltoprotecthis
secret.Hewishedhecouldblurtouteverything.Buthejustcouldnt.
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Youhavepicturesof[him],Marcosaid,referringtohisnephew.
Hismockingtonewasgone.Hewasseriousnow.Hefeltdeadly.
MarcotoldJaimetogetthepictures,andthemangotup,retrieved
astackofphotosandhandeditover.Marcoflippedthrough.There
werepicturesofotherboysbutnothisnephew.
Isawthephotos...inhere,Marcodemanded.Wherearethey?
Idonthavephotosofhim,Jaimesaid,lookingaway,asMarco
replied:
Youwouldtakethattothegravewithyou?Youwoulddieforthat
answer?
ThepanicattacksbeganwhenMarcowasintheninthgrade.One
day,leavingschoolafterclass,hisbookbagonhisback,hisheart
startedtorace,thumpinghard.Sweatsoakedhisshirt.Hismind
becameawhirlajumbleofmentalpicturesandfeelingsofterror
andrage.Heglimpsedhisreflectioninacarwindowanddidnt
recognizehimself.
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Hebegantorun,acrossthestreetandintoaparkwheretherewasa
baseballdiamond.Hesprintedfuriouslyaroundit,pumpinghis
arms,thebookbagjostlingonhisback.Hecounted17lapsbefore
Marcoat15,volunteeringforTheGreaterBostonFoodBank.Hewassufferingfrompanicattacksatthispoint,butsaidnothingabouthisproblemstohisfriendsorfamily.(Handout)
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losingtrack.Hekeptrunninguntilhisbodycouldntdoitanymore.
Afterward,heresolvedtogetstronger.HejoinedaPlanetFitness
downthestreetandfuriouslyliftedweights.Hesignedupfor
preenlistmenttrainingforhighschoolstudentsthattheMarines
organizedonBostonCommon.
Twiceaweek,hemetthegroupataMcDonaldsonTremontStreet
andthenenduredthegruelingdrillspushups,situps,longruns
alongtheCharlesRiver,windsprints.Sometimesafterhewasdone,
whenhegotbacktoEastBoston,hewenttothegymandworkedout
more.
Hestartedsmokingalotofmarijuana,too.Inthehigh,hefound
relief.Hismothersmelleditwaftingfromhisroomandconfronted
him.Marcolashedback,screamingsofiercelyatherthatOscar
wouldintervene.
ThenMarcowouldgoquietandstareatthefloor,tearsrollingdown
hisface.
Whatiswrong?Oscarasked.
Jaimelookedafraidnow.
Marco,hebeseeched.
Pervert,Marcospatandthentookabreath.SowhenIwas
younger,whatthefdidyoudo,huh?Whatdidyoudotome?
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Iamapersonwholovedyou,thatsall,Jaimesaidsoftly.
Oh,itsjustme?Marcoshuffledthroughthestackofpictures.
Howmanyboysarethere?Howmanylittlekidsareyoufing
messingwith?
No,Jaimesaid.Iswear.Ineverhurtyou.Inevermistreated
you.
Thatwhatyoujustsaid?Marcoshotback.Isthatwhatyoujust
said?
Jaimelookeddown.Afteralongwhile,hisvoicebarelyabovea
whisper,hesaid:Ihadsexwithyou.
Marcochokedupandstartedtosob.
Areyouhappytoseemelikethis?Marcosaid.Youlikeseeingme
cry?Cry,Jaime.Cry,crywithme.
Jaimeswordsweremuffled.Inside,hesaid.
Oh,yourecryingontheinside,Marcoreplied.Iwanttoseeiton
theoutside.
Fortwoyears,Marcohadmanaged,forthemostpart,tokeephis
distancefromJaime.
ButthenoneeveninginearlyMay2011,hewalkedovertoJaimes
apartment.Hehadnoreasonforgoing,nothinghecouldname
onlythatanotherfloodofpanicandfurywaswashingoverhim.He
knockedonthedoor.Jaimewasalone.
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Whydidyoudothistome?Marcodemanded.Jaimestaredblankly
back.
Dontyouknowwhatyoudidtome?Marcosaid.Dontyouknow
howyoumessedwithmyhead?
Jaimestillonlystared.
Marcosluggedhim,hard,andthebigmanfell.Marcojumpedon
himandpunchedagainandagainasJaimewrithedunderhimand
buriedhisfaceinhisupraisedarms.Marcoreachedintohispocket
andbroughtoutaknife.Heflickedopentheblade,heldthehandle
inhisfist,andraisedittoplunge.
Jaimesterrifiedeyesstaredupathim.Marcocursedandjammed
theknifeintoacheapplasticdrawercasenexttohim.Hegottohis
feet,pulledouttheknife,andleft.
MarcoandJaimecrossedpathsfromtimetotimeinthedaysafter
thatandgreetedoneanothercoolly.Neithersaidanythingabout
whathadhappened,andMarcofocusedhisattentiononschool.
Hehadproposedaproject,avideomontageofstudent
accomplishments.Itwasagreatidea,histeacherssaid.Buthe
neededadigitalcamera.Theonlypersonhecouldthinkofwhohad
onewasJaime.
WhenMarcoknockedonthedoor,Jaimelethimin.HetoldMarco
hecouldhavethecameraandwenttotheTVconsoletoopenthe
littlesafehekeptthere.ItwasthenthatMarcosawthepictureofhis
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nephew,Oscarsson,onJaimeslap,andthestackofother
photographsunderneathit.Itwasthenthathismindbegantostir,
leadinghim,inthesleeplessnightsthatfollowed,tothis:Hewasnt
theonlyone.Hehadtoprotecthisnephew.Andheneeded
somethingelse.
Jaimehadtotelltheworldwhathehaddone,andtosayoutloud
thatitwasnotMarcosfault.
Afewdayslater,Marcowasreadyonceagaintowalkacrossthe
street.
CrimescenephotostakenbyBostonpoliceshowtheitemsMarcousedthenightofhisfinalconfrontationwithJaime.(SuffolkDistrictAttorney'sOffice)
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Atlast,itwastime.
MarcomovedclosertoJaime.Hetookholdofoneendofthechoke
chainaroundJaimesneckandtuggedonit,drawingittight.
Youready?
Jaimeseemedresigned.HeaskedMarconottostabhim,thatthe
painwouldbetoomuch.Marcoledhimtoachairinfrontofa
mirrorandtoldhimtositfacingit.
Lookatyourself,Marcosaid.Youdontlikewhatyousee?
Jaimenodded.
Good.IdontlikewhatIsee,either...Iseesomebodywhosa
threattomyfamily.
HeboundJaimeswristswithducttapeandputastripoverhis
mouth,thenjerkedhardonthechainuntilJaimewentslack.
Hedraggedthebodyontoabed,douseditwithcharcoallighter
fluid,thenwenthometowait.Whenitwaslightandhebelieved
Jaimesneighborswouldbeawakeandabletoescape,hecrept
backanddroppedalightedmatchthroughthewindow.Hewanted
nothingtoremainofhistormentorbutash.
Someonecalled911inapanic.Therewereflamescomingfromthe
basementapartment.
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Firefighterswerethereinminutes,rushingthroughthealley,
breakingdownthebackdoor.Throughtheflameandthickblack
smoke,oneofthefiremenmadeoutafigureontheburning
mattress.
Cap,hecalledout.Wegotabody.
Policewouldworkalldayandintothenightpickingthroughthe
ashesandphotographingbitsofpossibleevidence:acharredbottle
ofKingsfordlighterfluid,arollofducttape,similartothetapethat
boundthewristsandcoveredthemouthofthevictim.Itwasplainly
ahomicide,buttherewerefewmeaningfulcluesaboutwhodiditor
why.
PolicephotographedthecharredremainsofJaimesbed,wherehisbodywasfoundbyBostonfirefightersonMay23,2011.(SuffolkDistrictAttorney'sOffice)
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Intime,investigatorswouldhaveplentyofevidence:Marcosvideo,
whichcapturedalmosteverything,hundredsofphotographsand
transcriptstakenfromtheharddriveofacomputerthatJaimeused.
Butby2a.m.,thedetectivesworkingthecasewerefarfromdone
andexhaustedafterhoursatthecrimescene.
Theleaddetectivewasjustfallingintobedwhenhisphonerang.It
wasthesupervisorattheEastBostonstationtellinghimthataquiet
17yearoldboywantedtospeakwithhim.Whenthedetectiveand
hispartnerarrived,Marcowassittingatatableinthestationsroll
callroom.Hesaidhewouldtellthemeverything.
MarcoinhisownwordsFromhisconfessiontopolice:Itwasmewhodidit
MarcohadalreadyconfessedtoOscarandtohismother,who
screamedandwept.Oscarsaidheshouldgotothepolice.Marco
agreed.Therewasnoreasontostaysilentanymore.
Theconfessioncheckedoutineverydetail.Astheinvestigation
unfolded,itbecamecleartoauthoritiesthatJaimehaddonewhat
Marcosaidhehad,andmore.Federalinvestigators,itturnedout,
hadbeentrackingchildpornographybeingsentfromandreceived
onJaimescomputer.Theyhadbeenclosetofilingasearchwarrant
forhisSaratogaStreetbasementapartment.
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WhenforensicspecialistsexaminedJaimescomputersharddrive,
theyfoundhundredsofimagesandvideosof10to13yearoldboys
andsome50,000linesofencryptedchatthatincludedhistacticsfor
manipulatingyoungboysandwarmingthemupalittletoplantthe
seedofsexualdesire.Tenyearoldsareespeciallysusceptible,he
wrote.Theywillaskforit.
Hedescribedindetailhismethodsforsucceedingwithyoungboys,
especiallyMarco.NotlongbeforeJaimedied,hepostedapictureof
Marcoasachild.Hewassobeautifulthen,hewrote.Healsowrote
thatamongthemanychildrenheknew,Therearesomegoodones
comingup,includingMarcosnephew.
Thecasetooktwoyearstocometocourt.Prosecutorsinitially
chargedMarcowithfirstdegreemurder,whichcarriesalife
sentence.AtahearinginMay2013,AssistantDistrictAttorneyIan
PolumbaumtoldthejudgethattheyhadreachedadealwithMarcos
courtappointedlawyer,JamesBudreau,toreducethechargeto
manslaughter.Budreauhadfiledmotionsdetailinghowheplanned
todefendtheteenagerajurywouldhearofthetraumaMarco
suffered,thestoryofabrokenboydriventokill.
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TheyallagreedthatMarcobelievedhehadactedtosafeguardhis
nephewintheonlywayhecould.
KillingMr.Galdamez,inhisownmind,wastheonlywaytoprotect
thechild,Polumbaumtoldthejudge.
Still,Marcohadkilledaman.Andthoughhehadwaiteduntil
daylighttolightthefire,hestillendangeredtwofamilieslivingon
theupperfloorsofthebuilding,Polumbaumsaid.Therehadtobe
consequences.
Marcowassentencedto15years.
MarcoentersacourtroomonMay16,2013,topleadguiltytokillingJaime.(BarryChin/GlobeStaff)
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Now,attheSouzaBaranowskimaximumsecurityprisoninShirley,
Marcoplayschess,watchesPBS,andreadsvoraciously.Theinmates
whoknowhisstorytreathimkindly.Sodothecorrectionalofficers.
Hismothercomesregularlytoseehim.Hisoldgirlfriendwiththe
ponytailcomes,too,onoccasion.
Marcodoesntliketotalkaboutthemurder,butwhenasked,hedoes
soinameasured,uninflectedtone.Andhewillreflect,uptoapoint,
onthefactthathetookahumanlife.
Killingsomeoneisneverworthit,hesays.ButIdontfeelbadfor
him.Ifeelhewasaverybadperson.Itsnotlikehetriedtoseek
help.Hechosetodoit.ImnotsayingIdonthaveremorse.ButI
InsidethevisitingroomattheSouzaBaranowskiCorrectionalCenter.Marcowas17whenhekilledthemanwhohadmolestedhimwhenhewasalittleboy.(SuzanneKreiter/Globestaff)
-
dontfeelsadforhimpassingaway.
Whenhesscheduledtobereleasedin11years,Marcowillbe32.
Becauseheisnotacitizenandpleadedguiltytoafelony,hewill
probablybedeportedtoElSalvador.
Hetriestousehistimeinprisonwell.Hetalkstoatherapistwhen
sheisavailable,aboutonceamonth,workingtounwindthedamage
ofthoseyears.Still,sometimestherageboilsupagain,sofiercely
hellfalltothegroundanddopushupsuntilhisarmscollapse.He
knowshehaslostsomethingofhimself,nevertoberecovered.
Andsometimestheoldwishcomesback,ofonedaygoingoutintoa
jungle,aherotakingonadangerousbeast.Inhisimagination,he
alwayswins.
Twitter@GlobeMCramer.