In 1900, a Texas deputy tried to arrest a Tejano rancher named Gregorio Córtez for horse stealing. Córtez professed his innocence but the deputy fired on Córtez who replied with his own pistol and killed the sheriff. Though it was self-defense, Córtez was hunted, captured, tried by an all-white jury and sentence to prison for second degree murder. The incident has inspired many ballads including this one by California playwright and musician Agustin Lira. He performs here with his wife Patricia Wells Soloranzano.