Kristopher Love was convicted of murdering prominent Dallas dentist Kendra Hatcher on September 2, 2015. Prosecutors said that Love was hired as a hitman by a woman who used to date Hatcher’s boyfriend. His trial is now in the penalty phase, as he faces a possible death penalty.
Also facing charges in this case is Brenda Delgado, the woman who allegedly paid Love to do the job. Delgado had previously dated Ricardo Paniagua, who was romantically involved with Hatcher for a few months before Hatcher’s death. According to court documents, Delgado is accused of offering money and drugs from a cartel to a hitman to kill Hatcher. Delgado is also charged with capital murder, will not face the death penalty in an extradition agreement with Mexico. Delgado fled to Mexico after the murder, and prosecutors had to drop the death penalty in order to secure her extradition back to the U.S.
Also charged was Crystal Cortes, who allegedly admitted to police that she was Love’s getaway driver. Cortes pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 35 years in prison. She testified against Love at his trial. According to a Dallas Police affidavit, Cortes initially told police that she and Delgado planned to rob Hatcher, who ended up dead as a result, but when she took the stand, she said it was always meant to be a murder.