Sanchez to Ask for Dismissal

A murder trial for accused killer and serial rapist Vincent Sanchez has been delayed at the request of defense lawyers, who intend to challenge the manner in which the case has been filed.

Sanchez, a Simi Valley handyman, is accused of fatally shooting Moorpark College student Megan Barroso last year. He is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and attempted rape. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Sanchez, 31, is also charged with crimes related to assaults on several other women. He has not entered pleas.

On Friday, Deputy Public Defender Neil Quinn argued that his client should not have to answer the charges because prosecutors improperly specified the degree of murder in the felony complaint. But Ventura County Superior Court Judge Ken Riley found nothing wrong with the document.

Riley then asked if Sanchez was ready to enter pleas, but Quinn said the defense plans to file a motion to dismiss the charges on separate grounds. Quinn contends that prosecutors erred when filing the charges after an earlier indictment in the case was vacated.

Sanchez agreed to waive his right to a jury trial through mid-September.