Triple-homicide suspect to stand trial in January

Triple-homicide suspect to stand trial in January

Anastacio Sanchez will stand trial for shooting five people--killing three and injuring two others in December.

Advertisement

Text size: small | medium | large

By Amanda Stewart

Published: May 5, 2008

The suspect in the December triple-homicide in Woodbridge will stand trial on capital murder charges in January, according to court records.

Anastacio Sanchez, 40, is scheduled to stand trial in Prince William Circuit Court beginning on Jan. 26.

His trial date was set last week.

Sanchez is charged with two counts of capital murder, three counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated malicious wounding and seven counts of use of a firearm in commission of a felony.

His trial is slated to last nine days.

Sanchez is charged for the Dec. 9 shooting deaths of Juan Manuel Guevara, Rosario Europa Martinez and Gerardo Lopez-Garcia.

At a March preliminary hearing, witnesses testified that Sanchez came uninvited to a house in the 13600 block of Grandview Avenue in Woodbridge around 7 a.m. on Dec. 9.

Twelve people were sleeping at the house at the time after celebrating a 2-year-old’s birthday party the previous day.

Sanchez forced his way into the house that morning and started shooting, witnesses said.

He is accused of shooting five people--killing three and injuring two others--before fleeing to his sister’s house in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where police arrested him five hours later.

Police said they believe that Sanchez’s estranged wife, Judith Europa, was his intended target that morning. She was not injured. Five children were also in the house that morning,
including Europa and Sanchez’s three children, but none were injured.

If convicted of capital murder, Sanchez could face the death penalty.

Staff writer Amanda Stewart can be reached at 703-878-8014.

Reader Reactions

Posted by ( zcxnissan ) on May 13, 2008 at 10:26 pm

If his wife and children are here going to public school, school lunches for free. Probably stealing social services as well, although i never alluded to any of the things you are alluding that i alluded to. Sorry I live here 2 the generalization about illegals was that they use phony documents, steal peoples identities, work jobs that they are not even allowed to, drive without licenses and insurance, kill people at a higher rate then legal immigrants as backed up by the FBI, GAO, US Justice Dept, etc. What ongoing investigation? He goes to trial in January. Their were witnesses as well as evidence. The jury will convict him. It is not my fault that the majority of illegals in this area are from Hispanic countries. I did bash an Italian illegal as well in previous comments as well. All illegals are not welcome here. Why must you apologists and illegals bring up the race card especially since i have never brought it up. This is about enforcing the law and i don’t support your obvious double standards on this issue. No one from this ethnic group has personally attacked me as a matter of fact most of my friends are legal Hispanic citizens. I have very few white friends although i am white. Please do not quote Federal law to me especially when you know so little about “Immigration Laws”. In many articles written previously about this pig, it was duly noted of his illegal status. That was fact. The law will deal with him accordingly. You make me ashamed to be an American with your obvious discrimination towards legal immigrants. By the way stealing someone’s identity is a felony. Proper enforcement by Federal, State, and Local governments is the only solution. A border fence is helpful to a slight degree. A better ID system that requires ID checks for new employees as well as proper documentation, SS number and card, Birth certificate. Employers should be fined heavily and or shut down, vehicles impounded if transporting illegals, etc. etc. as the law states. All immigrants endure predjudices when they come to a new country. This happens all over the world, it does not make illegal immigration right however. So in reply, you wake up. Don’t be shy print your name here. I have yet to find anything predjudicial in my statements about illegal aliens especially this scumbag. Chris Cummings

Posted by ( I Live Here 2 ) on May 07, 2008 at 10:58 am

“Your amount of hatred towards legal immigrants and the law i find is disgustingly disturbing. Chris Cummings”

You are somewhat delusional as I do not harbor hatred towards legal immigrants and the Law.  The object of my dislike was ONLY geared towards YOUR prejudicial statement and rants.  I have a huge issue with people passing judgment without all the facts.  How you arrived at your conclusion (passing judgement on me) is amazing though not suprising considering the “thought process you apparently possess”.  Stop spreading hatred, we have enough! That sir, is my point. Your use of the word “disgust” is truly amusing.  Read, comprehend and re-read, if necessary, before sending your “hate” messages.

Posted by ( I Live Here 2 ) on May 07, 2008 at 10:46 am

Mr Cummings.....do you know this individual personally?  Your comment was about him, correct?  Yet you mention that he is using taxpayers benefits, etc.  Was he on welfare, getting Social Security or other federally funded program?  You stated he anchored his babies on the state? Do you know this to be true?  I do not condone illegal immigration and thought I was clear on that.  However, once again, you are the judge, jury and executioner.  You are limited to the facts because there is still an on-going investigation (hence a January trial date).  Do you know more than the rest of us?  My point was that you only make comments on articles mentioning those whose names are obviously of hispanic origin, and that is NOT fair.  You should take your crusade indiscriminately and evenly across the board.  Your anger is evident as you write.  Your hatred is prevelant throughout all the articles and comments with your name on them.  You seem like a man on a hunt.  How sad for you.  Has a person from this ethnic group personally attacked you?  That would make sense although I still believe you cannot and should not judge anyone based on their appearance, beliefs, or ethnicity.  I believe that is a Federal law as well. And this Federal law applies to all persons with legal status in this country.  I understand your point on how folks with illegal status should not be protected under these laws and agree. But once again, without all the facts, your judgement seems premature.  I never saw in the article where it spoke of his status.  Did I miss something?
Understand that I do not condone this pig’s actions by any means, murder is murder.  Why you would assume that I condone this action is beyond me.  I am a christian by choice, and regardless, I still believe his pig-like actions are wrong by any standards.  But do two wrongs make it right?  I think your actions are rather pig"ish" as well.  What gives you the right to pass this judgment without all the facts? You state that you believe in equality and justice for all “citizens”.  I am just wondering how you know if this accused man has legal or illegal status.  If this man is guilty, then let the law deal with him - not you and your ill-informed assumptions. You make me ashamed to be an American with your close-minded, premature prejudicial remarks.  Do you not read in the articles how illegal aliens use other identities to work?  That would mean that like the rest of us, taxes are withheld from the paycheck.  So if this person cannot file a tax return (because it is illegal and they might get caught), who is using that money?  Who benefits from the returns that are never filed?  Does this money just sit there?  Maybe you have the answer to this as well.  I really want to know.  As long as there are employers willing to overlook the illegal hiring practices (performed by “legal” citizens), illegal folks will always be around.  If there is no employment opportunity, then there is no need in coming to this country.  Sort of like when you feed a stray cat, it will always come back.  The issue is two-fold. The citizens need to stop the hiring of this cheap labor, and the illegals need not apply for benefits. Speak to your fellow “citizens” and get them to hear your plea and assist you by not hiring these folks.  The illegals will go once once the “opportunities” are non-existent.  My ancestors came over and applied for citizenship just like yours.  They were fortunate.  Still, they endured the all the prejudgices immigrants encounter when coming to a new country.  It was painful and hurtful. We were poor, just like your family.  And we applied, just like your family.  It is a procedure. Granted it cost alot less in those days, but they complied.  Are we making it feasible for these folks to apply?  Maybe then we could get a grip on who is here and whether they are suppose to be here? Wake up.

Posted by ( zcxnissan ) on May 06, 2008 at 5:30 pm

Absolutely the loss of life is important here, he should never have been in the country. Everyone that i have mentioned has been illegal, get your facts straight. What good is there to say about someone who steals benefits and taxpayer benefits from legal immigrants without paying income taxes and forces their anchor babies on taxpaying families. I had a Catholic upbringing but i am no longer Catholic. I believe in fairness and equality for all, this does not include double standards like illegals and their apologists want, or the brainwashing of today’s youth by the media on this matter. I am all for legal immigration. That is “LEGAL IMMIGRATION”. How many times do i have to state that. My ancestors came here legally why can’t yours? My ancestors were just as poor. So money is no excuse to just skip across the border. You can’t do this in other countries without getting arrested and or your property seized if you own any. By Federal Law it is illegal for illegals to be here. Face the music the parties over. I can’t believe you would condone this pig’s actions “I live here 2”. Your amount of hatred towards legal immigrants and the law i find is disgustingly disturbing. Chris Cummings

Posted by ( I Live Here 2 ) on May 06, 2008 at 4:05 pm

Chris Cummings - do read the newspaper searching for illegal aliens (or those you presume to be illegal) as you would clipping for coupons?  You never have anything good to say.  Your hatred, regardless of this immigration issue, is incredible. I have never seen anything quite like the hatred you promote and apparently live by.  How sad that you cannot find one redeeming quality about another human if their legal status is not up to the law.  We are all humans, nonetheless.  You are a sad individual.  I agree that legal status is necessary, but I pray I never become obsessed like you and forget my Christian upbringing. The loss of lives, senselessly, is the issue here.

Posted by ( zcxnissan ) on May 06, 2008 at 12:41 pm

Potomac News editing. Why such a long time for the trial to begin? PWC has jurisdiction. He should be executed and then the body deported. Sorry MrBill. Chris Cummings

Posted by ( Anny ) on May 05, 2008 at 6:57 pm

So, uh, where’s the part that mentions his illegal status?

Post a Comment

Please Log In

Comment posting requires free registration with InsideNova.com.

Already have an account? Please log in.


Tags relating to this article:

  • No tags are associated with this article.

Can't find what you're looking for? Try our quick search:



Email This Print This AddThis Social Bookmark Button RSS Feed Add to My Yahoo!

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement