State to seek death penalty in deadly McAllen Motel 6 stabbing

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Prosecutors have announced they will seek the death penalty against the man charged in a deadly stabbing at a Motel 6 in McAllen.

Carlos Antonio Cardenas Jr. is facing charges of capital murder of multiple persons and criminal attempted murder. Cardenas was arrested in connection to a stabbing on March 18, 2023 that left two men dead.

On March 25, the State notified the court it would seek the death penalty in the case.

On the morning of March 18, officers responded to the Motel 6 at 700 W. Expressway 83, in McAllen, in reference to a man who was bleeding. The officer found 45-year-old Keith Henry Cole of Virginia, lying face down in the hallway, a probable cause affidavit stated.

The officer moved to another entrance and saw 42-year-old Luis Eduardo Garza of San Juan lying face down in the parking lot. The officer then saw Cardenas covered in blood "from his face to his shoes," poking the front office window with a knife, attempting to get in, the document stated.

The document stated surveillance footage showed Cardenas stab Cole in the hallway. After Cole fell to the ground, Cardenas left for a few seconds, then returned and stabbed him several more times.

The affidavit stated that Garza tried to flee from Cardenas in the parking lot, but slipped. This is when Cardenas allegedly began to stab Garza several times, before grabbing a bag and handing a bag to the driver of a black vehicle.

While being pat down by officers, police found a clear glass pipe with burnt residue on both sides, the document stated.

Cardenas was booked into the Hidalgo County Jail on March 20. He remains jailed on a $906,000 bond. Cardenas waived his arraignment on June 5, where he entered a plea of not guilty.

Records show that Cardenas' defense team requested for a second evaluation for competency to stand trial.