Convicted Murderer Charged With Soliciting Murder Over Loan for Dental Work

Charles Baeza

I know the economy is tough but don't you think there are other methods?

A convicted murderer was charged with trying to arrange a hit on his ex-girlfriend for welching on a loan for dental work, police said.

"It was all a joke!" Charles Baeza, 72, shouted Friday as he was led from a Staten Island courtroom.

Baeza was arrested in a Staten Island pizzeria Thursday night after haggling with an undercover cop over the price of a gun with a silencer. He also asked about hiring the undercover as a hitman to kill his 52-year-old ex-girlfriend for refusing to repay the $5,000 loan.

Baeza is still on parole after being released from prison last year. He spent 20 years behind bars for fatally shooting his estranged wife Ruth, 52, at a bus stop in Franklin Square, L.I., in 1990.

I guess you do not welch on a deal with this fellow.

The source said Baeza had apparently been plotting to bump off his girlfriend for a few weeks. The two once lived together, but the woman had kicked him out of their apartment, said the source.

He allegedly had become angry when she failed to pay back $2,000 he had laid out for her dental work, the source and cops said.

Baeza claimed to have spent $4,000 in gifts "and other stuff" on the woman, said the source.

The source said the suspect became further incensed when his beau told his parole officer that Baeza was harassing her and violating the terms of his parole by driving without a license. The suspect owns a tow truck, said police.

I don't think this convicted felon is going to have to worry about a place to live for the rest of his life.

Just as well......