Francisco Leona Romero
Francisco Leona (1835–1910) was a Spanish child killer, barber, curandero, and Sacamantecas from the region of Gádor, Almería, who was arrested and convicted of murdering seven-year-old Bernardo Gonzalez Parra for the purpose of using the boy's blood and fat as a tuberculosis treatment for a wealthy farmer, Francisco Ortega.[1]
Francisco Leona | |
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Francisco Leona | |
![]() Francisco Leona c. 1910 | |
Born | Francisco Leona Romero 1835 |
Died | 1910 |
Nationality | Spanish |
Occupation | Barber and curandero |
Criminal status | Dead |
Criminal charge | Murder |
Penalty | Garrote vil |
Details | |
Victims | Bernardo González Parra |
Date | June 28, 1910 |
Country | Spain |
State(s) | Almería |
Location(s) | Gádor |
Target(s) | To kidnap a boy |
Crime
Francisco Ortega, diagnosed with phthisis pulmonalis, wanted to look for a cure, and he was supported by Agustina Rodríguez, who suggested to consult Francisco Leona.[2] Leona suggested the ingestion of the human blood and mantecas.[2]
While Julio Hernández el Tonto distracted him, Leona covered the mouth of Bernardo Gonzalez Parra with a handkerchief bathed on chloroform.[3] After that both of them introduced Bernardo to a gunny sack to move him to a cortijo.[3] Leona lay down Bernardo on a table, and held by the others, he stabbed him in the armpit while Agustina Rodríguez picked up the blood with a cooking pot and gave to Francisco Ortega.[3]
The cost of the operation was 3000 pesetas, but Leona didn't share it out equally so Julio Hernández resorted to authorities and declared the crime.[3]
He was sentenced to garrote vil but he died from poisoning in prison.[4]
Aftermath
The crime of Gádor gave rise to the term Hombre del saco and Sacamantecas[5] because the kidnappers, Francisco Leona and Julio el Tonto Hernández, used a gunny sack to carry with the children.[6]
References
- Soler Cervantes, Milagros. "El crimen de Gádor (Almería)". Cultura en Andalucía (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 February 2015.
- Campos Herrero 2016, p. 49.
- Campos Herrero 2016, p. 50.
- Campos Herrero 2016, p. 51.
- Ayala Sörense, Federico (25 September 2014). Expósiot, Ángel (ed.). "El verdadero "Hombre del Saco"". ABC (in Spanish). Diario ABC, S.L. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
- Fernández Juárez, Gerardo (2008). Kharisiris en acción: cuerpo, persona y modelos médicos en el Altiplano de Bolivia. Editorial Abya Yala. p. 61. ISBN 9789978227213.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
Bibliography
- Campos Herrero, Joaquín (23 February 2016). ¿Quién agota mis pilas?. Punto Rojo Libros. pp. 49–51. ISBN 9781635035414.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)