The Accordions Worldwide news for the week ending March 16th 2001 included an item of news from Texas, USA, concerning a shocking murder of an accordionist, who was the victim of a lunatic with a firearm.

Man Gets 99 Years for Killing Accordionist – USA

On March 10th Reuters News service reported a news item about a Texas man who was sentenced to 99 years in prison for killing a musician who did not know the song he requested! The man became angry with accordionist David Saenz because he could not play ‘El Guajolote’, or ‘The Turkey’, so he shot him in the head with a .38 caliber pistol.

Saenz was a local character who often played the guitar and accordion and sang for his neighbours. Saenz died at the scene with the guitar and accordion at his feet. The killer testified he was not drunk when he shot Saenz, but also claimed he had no memory of the murder. He was sentenced by a jury on Thursday and, under Texas law, will be eligible for parole in 30 years.