Ex-Yankee Sergio Mitre gets 50 years in prison for murdering ex-GF's daughter
Former Major League Baseball pitcher Sergio Mitre was convicted in Mexico and sentenced to 50 years in prison for sexually assaulting and murdering his ex-girlfriend’s daughter in July 2020. Mitre pitched in parts of eight major league seasons and won a World Series ring with the 2009 Yankees. Mitre has also been ordered to pay $66,429 in restitution damages. His estimated earnings in MLB topped $5 million.
An autopsy had reportedly revealed that Ines, the 22-month-old girl, had been sexually assaulted. She died as a result of hypovolemic shock, a condition in which severe blood loss prevents the heart from pumping enough blood through the body. According to prosecutors, Mitre, 40, had an argument with his ex-girlfriend, following which he punched Ines in her lower back. The child began vomiting and fainting soon after. Her mother rushed her to Saltillo Children’s Hospital, where she was declared dead.
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Mitre was charged with femicide and aggravated statutory rape over the death of the child in 2020, and was booked into the Saltillo Prison. He was released by the Saraperos and suspended indefinitely by the Mexican League following the announcement of the charges.
Sergio Mitre and his legal troubles
Born in Los Angeles and raised in Tijuana, Mitre was drafted in 2001 out of San Diego City College. He debuted with the Cubs in 2003. Mitre had stints with the Marlins, Brewers and Yankees. He pitched with the Yankees mostly as a starter, from July through September of their 2009 club. Mitre posted a 6.79 ERA in 51 ⅔ innings that particular season, and was left off the postseason roster. The last he pitched in MLB with the Yankees was in 2011. Before being accused of the crime, he had pitched in Mexican leagues.
Mitre played baseball in Japan after his MLB career. Unable to make a comeback, he retired as an active player. Mitre eventually returned to California and was a coach for a competitive baseball organization that he founded, known as the Playmakers.
In 2019, Mitre had also been arrested on the charge of domestic violence against a previous partner. However, he was not jailed for the offense. He had to instead pay a fine of 20,000 pesos ($978.19). After he was arrested in connection with the alleged assault, the Saraperos owner denounced Mitre's actions. He was later suspended by the team indefinitely. In 2020, he was arrested in Saltillo for possession of marijuana.