Third person pleads guilty in 2017 Elgin stabbing death

A third person pleaded guilty on Monday to first-degree murder in the 2017 stabbing death of Bayron Cruz-Garcia of Elgin.

Kane County Circuit Judge Donald M. Tegeler, Jr., accepted the plea of Michael A. Giacomino of Elgin, 34, who faces 20 to 60 years in prison.

According to authorities, co-defendant Carlos F. Lopez recruited and paid co-defendants Gabriel Lopez and Giacomino to beat up Cruz-Garcia. Carlos Lopez believed that the victim was having an affair with his former girlfriend.

At 1:10 a.m. on Aug. 12, 2017, the three men drove to the victim's workplace in Elgin. They waited for 58 minutes until the victim left the building, authorities said. The trio each punched and kicked the victim multiple times with enough force to leave a shoeprint-shaped contusion on his forehead.

During the attack, Carlos Lopez used a knife to stab and slash the victim 19 times.

The defendants fled. Elgin police officers arrived and were unable to resuscitate Cruz-Garcia.

A Kane County jury in March 2020 found Carlos Lopez guilty of first-degree murder. He is serving a 39-year prison sentence. Gabriel Lopez pleaded guilty in August 2019 to first-degree murder and is serving a 25-year prison sentence.

"This has been a nearly 3-year ordeal for Bayron Cruz-Garcia's family," said Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon. "And I'm grateful for them that we can finally feel some justice.

"Mr. Giacomino and his co-defendants stalked Bayron Cruz-Garcia before they committed a violent and cold-blooded murder. They all belong in prison. My thanks to assistant state's attorney Joe Cullen for his hard work on the case, and to the Elgin Police Department for their investigation."

Giacomino remains in custody at the Kane County jail. His next court appearance will be Sept. 24 for sentencing.