United States government records show that he had been deported to Mexico at least four times since first entering the U.S. in 1973.

Reséndiz took sentimental items, and also laid out the victims' driver's licenses to learn about their lives.

He stole jewelry and other items, and gave them to his wife and mother, who lived in Rodeo, Durango, Mexico.

After Reséndiz's surrender, some of the stolen items that had been removed from his victims' homes were returned by his wife and mother.

[14] Prior to surrendering at the El Paso bridge, the U.S. Border Patrol had arrested Reséndiz and deported him back to Mexico.

[16] In 1999, former Texas Attorney General Jim Mattox, wary of the controversy miring the many confessions and recantations by serial killer Henry Lee Lucas, remarked of Reséndiz, "I hope they don't start pinning on him every crime that happens near a railroad track.

"[17][notes 1] Reséndiz's defense attorney along with the assistance of Mexican consul-general in Houston Rodulfo Figueroa Aramoni (consul general, 1998–1999) and other Mexican government officials combined efforts to negotiate with the state of Texas for an extradition to Mexico in hopes to spare Reséndiz's life from the death penalty.

In 2006, Mexican presidential spokesman Ruben Aguilar said at a press conference that Mexican Foreign Relations Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez had contacted then Texas Governor Rick Perry to ask for clemency for Maturino Reséndiz.

"We will continue fighting (for the condemned man) because we believe that the death penalty does not solve absolutely anything," Mexican presidential spokesman Ruben Aguilar said.

Circuit Court of Appeals, Reséndiz's death warrant was signed for the murder of Claudia Benton.