Travis County District Attorney’s Office Secures Convictions for Fatal Acts of Violence

TRAVIS COUNTY – On Wednesday, January 18, 2023, Christopher Michael Garcia, 19, pled guilty to Murder.  On February 23, 2021, the Austin Police Department arrested and charged Mr. Garcia for the murder of Misael Robello Sanchez, 29, which took place on February 16, 2021. Mr. Garcia was indicted on May 10, 2021, with the offense of Murder.

In a separate case, on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, Walker Kaatz, 25, and Kristie Michelle Cardenas, 38, pled guilty to the offense of Tampering / Fabricating Physical Evidence with the Intent to Impair a Human Corpse during a pre-trial hearing.

On August 19, 2020, the Austin Police Department arrested Mrs. Cardenas and Mr. Katz and charged them with Tampering / Fabricating Physical Evidence with the Intent to Impair a Human Corpse. On September 5, 2020, the Austin Police Department charged them with the murder of Nicklas Wayne Kinslow, 32.

On November 19, 2020, Mrs. Cardenas and Mr. Kaatz were indicted with the offenses of Murder and Tampering / Fabricating Physical Evidence with the Intent to Impair a Human Corpse.

“Our office takes acts of violence seriously and is committed to holding people who commit violent crimes accountable,” said Travis County District Attorney José Garza. “We hope this outcome brings closure and peace to the victim’s family.”

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