Post by SoulTrainOz on Jul 13, 2006 19:34:53 GMT -5
In La Marque, one man accused of killing a popular local known as the "Biker Santa" wont face the death penalty when he goes to trial, prosecutors said Wednesday.
"I can't comment on any specifics because trials on all the defendants are still pending," said Kurt Sistrunk, Galveston County criminal district attorney.
"But, based on the receipt of new evidence, pursuing the death penalty against this defendant was no longer an option."
Prosecutors said in 2005 they would seek the death penalty against Amador Gonzales Sanchez Jr., 34, charged with capital murder in the October 2002 death of Joe Morreale of La Marque, who was shot dead when he tried to foil a robbery at a bar.
On Oct. 11, 2002, Morreale was in Murphy's bar shortly before the midnight closing time when two men walked in with guns and demanded money.
Another patron struggled with one of the robbers, but the other shot Morreale when he lunged at him in an effort to foil the crime.
Morreale, 48, was a Murphy's regular. He ran a Toys for Tots drive at the bar each year and was known in the community for his charity work with the Shriners Burns Center Toy Run.
He owned Custom Specialists, a motorcycle customizing shop on state Highway 3, just around the corner from where he was gunned down.
Prosecutors have accused Sanchez, who is from Hitchthingy, of firing the shot that killed Morreale.
Capital murder carries a possible death sentence or a prison term of life. 2 others indicted on capital murder charges in the robbery and shooting, Scott Anderson Copeland, 23, of Houston and Galveston resident Brandy Bergara, 23, had not been facing the death penalty.
Defense attorney Katherine Scardino has said Sanchez, her client, would be pleading not guilty and maintained his innocence.
"He says he was not present that night," she said.
Sanchez' trial is set for April. His co-defendants trials will occur after his concludes.
Sanchez is jailed under bonds totaling $500,000.
(source: Galveston Daily News)
"I can't comment on any specifics because trials on all the defendants are still pending," said Kurt Sistrunk, Galveston County criminal district attorney.
"But, based on the receipt of new evidence, pursuing the death penalty against this defendant was no longer an option."
Prosecutors said in 2005 they would seek the death penalty against Amador Gonzales Sanchez Jr., 34, charged with capital murder in the October 2002 death of Joe Morreale of La Marque, who was shot dead when he tried to foil a robbery at a bar.
On Oct. 11, 2002, Morreale was in Murphy's bar shortly before the midnight closing time when two men walked in with guns and demanded money.
Another patron struggled with one of the robbers, but the other shot Morreale when he lunged at him in an effort to foil the crime.
Morreale, 48, was a Murphy's regular. He ran a Toys for Tots drive at the bar each year and was known in the community for his charity work with the Shriners Burns Center Toy Run.
He owned Custom Specialists, a motorcycle customizing shop on state Highway 3, just around the corner from where he was gunned down.
Prosecutors have accused Sanchez, who is from Hitchthingy, of firing the shot that killed Morreale.
Capital murder carries a possible death sentence or a prison term of life. 2 others indicted on capital murder charges in the robbery and shooting, Scott Anderson Copeland, 23, of Houston and Galveston resident Brandy Bergara, 23, had not been facing the death penalty.
Defense attorney Katherine Scardino has said Sanchez, her client, would be pleading not guilty and maintained his innocence.
"He says he was not present that night," she said.
Sanchez' trial is set for April. His co-defendants trials will occur after his concludes.
Sanchez is jailed under bonds totaling $500,000.
(source: Galveston Daily News)