When was this published?

This article was first published on July 24, 2026 by WSVN 7 News and curated for The Miami readers.

Who reported this story?

This story was reported by Kevin Boulandier at WSVN 7 News.

Where can I find related coverage?

See more safety coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs.

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Man sentenced to death in 2005 murder of ‘La Carreta’ waitress

Summary by The Miami Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Kevin Boulandier, WSVN 7 News · July 24, 2026 · 2 min read

A man convicted of killing a waitress decades ago learned his fate in a Miami-Dade courtroom on Friday. It is the second time 62-year-old Rafael Andres has heard a judge condemn him to death, this time for the beating, stabbing and strangulation death of a 31-year-old woman in 2005. Andres sat motio

Why this matters in The Miami

The re-sentencing of Rafael Andres to death for the 2005 murder of Yvette Farinas, a waitress at La Carreta, brings a sense of closure to the community, particularly in the Westchester area where the crime occurred. This case also raises concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of the justice system in Miami-Dade County. Andres' history of violent crime, including a previous conviction for stabbing a female friend to death in 1987, highlights the need for closer scrutiny of parole and sentencing policies. The fact that Andres was released after serving only 18 months of a nine-year sentence for good behavior is troubling, and this case may prompt a re-examination of such policies. Furthermore, the impact of this crime on the families of the victims, including Rene Azcarreta, who lost his mother and later witnessed Andres' sentencing for Farinas' death, serves as a stark reminder of the long-lasting effects of violent crime on local families and communities.

About this story

Original reporting by WSVN 7 News. The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit WSVN 7 News. Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: safety · Published: July 24, 2026 · Source: WSVN 7 News · Reading time: 2 min

Summary created by	The Miami Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Kevin Boulandier, WSVN 7 News
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 24, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

Man sentenced to death in 2005 murder of ‘La Carreta’ waitress

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