Buford Man Convicted In 23-Year-Old Murder

BUFORD, GA - A Buford man has been convicted in a 23-year-old murder case, the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office said.

A jury found Hector Garay, 52, guilty earlier this month of killing a business man in Buford in 1996 during an attempted armed robbery, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post.

The case was stalled for years because prosecutors said Garay fled the country, cutting off ties with his family. He was detained trying to cross the El Salvador-Honduras border in 2017 and extradited to the U.S. in 2018.

On Jan. 21, 1996, prosecutors said victim, Adalberto Salinas, and his wife, Francisca, returned to their home after working at their business. Salinas was known to carry large amounts of cash.
The couple heard what appeared to be someone trying to open their front door, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post.

Salinas opened the door with the security chain still on. Three gunshots were fired through the door, two of which struck and killed Salinas.

After two hours of deliberation, the jury found Garay guilty of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, criminal attempt to commit armed robbery, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Prosecutors said Garay fled to Texas after the murder and ultimately to his native country of El Salvador.

Garay has been in custody at Gwinnett County Jail since May 2018. His sentencing has been set for Jan. 8.

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