The Lute was a famous Spanish outlaw who suffered discrimination as a poor merchant. As a young man, he was imprisoned for six months for stealing chickens. In 1965, he was sentenced to death for his role in an armed robbery and murder, though his sentence was later reduced to 30 years. Known for several escapes from prison, he became known as Spain's "most wanted" criminal. While imprisoned, he earned a law degree and published books fighting to clear his name. After a change in government, he was pardoned in 1981. However, in 2006 he was arrested on charges of abusing his wife, though the case against him was later dismissed due to contradictory testimony.

1. Famous Outlaws
The Lute

2. The Lute
Sánchez and his family suffered discrimination as poor mercheros. They were often considered suspect by police. He
married a young woman, Chelo, as poor as he and they had a daughter. As a young man, he stole two hens and was
sentenced to six months in prison.
In 1965 Sánchez was arrested of murder for the armed robbery of a jewelry in which a security guard was killed. At the age
of 23, he was sentenced to death for the robbery and murder...”His death sentence was commuted to 30 years in a military
prison. Maintaining his innocence, Sánchez fought his conviction. Known as The Lute, during several escapes from prison,
he was listed by the police as Spain's "most wanted" criminal. His reputation became legendary.
Although Sánchez in the prison learn a law degree, wrote five books and published two while, and continued his fight to
clear his name. After the change in governments, Sánchez was finally pardoned on June 20, 1981.
In February 2006, Sánchez was arrested for abuse of his wife, Carmen Cañavate. His wife told police and Sánchez was
arrested in Seville. Under the law he could be sentenced to 20 months in prison. In April 2008, the judge concluded there
was too much contradictory testimony to support the charges.