PHOENIX – Alex Anthony Madrid has been officially charged with murder, sexual conduct with a minor and kidnapping. He is now fighting the death penalty.
Alex Anthony Madrid faces the death penalty after being convicted of the 2013 rape and murder of Claudia Ann Lucero, a 14-year-old girl whose body was discovered wrapped in a carpet near a Phoenix dumpster. Madrid was found guilty earlier this month, with DNA evidence linking him to the crime. In a bid to spare his life, his family members have testified in Maricopa Superior Court, describing a turbulent family history, his efforts to connect with his son and difficult childhood experiences. The penalty phase of his trial will continue into early 2025.
Alex Anthony Madrid, 42, was arrested in 2013 for the rape and murder of Lucero ,14. Upon being broken up with by Lucero’s mother, Madrid kidnaped Lucero, raped her by a dumpster and then strangled her to death. He then wrapped her body in an old carpet where it was discovered by two women looking for aluminum cans.
He was tied to the crime by DNA evidence and arrested that day. Alex Anthony Madrid was found guilty on Oct. 2, 2024.
Since that guilty conviction in early October, Alex Anthony Madrid has been on the penalty phase of his trial fighting the death penalty.
On Oct. 16, Alex Anthony Madrid’s son and grandmother pleaded for his life in the Maricopa Superior Court courtroom.
Miguel Leal, biological son of Alex Anthony Madrid, took the stand to plead for his father. Leal has been in contact with his father throughout all of his incarcerations through letters and phone calls. The letters were very heartfelt, as any good father would send his son.
“He always promised to be a better man, to come home and do it right.” Leal said.
Tearing up re-reading those letters from his father, Christopher Sammons, the State’s Attorney, posed a question.
“Mr. Leal, I see you are tearing up,” Sammons said. “Is that because your father has not fulfilled these promises?”
In response to the question, Leal gave a simple nod.
Next on the stand was Alex Anthony Madrid’s grandmother, Dolores Madrid, who told stories of his childhood and family life. In her testimony, she revealed that Lorraine Madrid, the defendant's mother, is temperamental and gave her sons odd chores in their youth.
“She would make them paint her toenails, brush her hair and give her massages,” Dolores Madrid said. “She would get angry if they protested, screaming at them.”
Dolores Madrid was then questioned by defense attorney Marci Kratter regarding previous statements she made against Lorraine Madrid when Alex Anthony Madrid was initially arrested.
Dolores Madrid elaborated on Alex Anthony Madrid’s adolescence. His family life was on-and-off, depending on who he was spending his time with. He had an intimate relationship with his cousin that his grandmother dismissed and did not address.
Alex Anthony Madrid will continue to be tried in the penalty phase of his trial until late January 2025.