Fugitive who was on run in Philippines guilty of murder

Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Police Department

PHILADELPHIA – A jury has convicted a longtime fugitive of murder for killing his wife’s best friend in a crowded restaurant on Father’s Day 1992.

Santiago Pedroso was immediately sentenced to life in prison Wednesday. He had spent 20 years on the run in the Philippines.

The verdict came after his daughter testified about last seeing her father that night at the restaurant.

Rachel Pedroso says he feared her mother was romantically involved with victim Delores Alvarez.

Her once dark-haired father is now stooped and graying. Her mother died within the past year.

Santiago Pedroso was taken into custody after trying to get a passport in Manila in 2013.

He chose not to testify at his trial. But in a 2013 police statement, he said he fled to avoid going to prison.