Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 08/14/06

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Larry Scoufos

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

DEFENDANT PLEADS GUILTY TO SECOND DEGREE MURDER

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that Jesus Giron Sanchez pleaded guilty to second degree murder and admitted the personal use of a knife, exposing him to a prison term of 16 years to life. His jury trial was due to commence today.

On February 19, 2005, the defendant and his girlfriend of three months, Zoila Echeverria, attended a family member’s birthday party in Glen Ellen. At approximately 10:30 that night, neighbors heard a "horrific scream." A neighbor rushed to the window and observed a male thrusting blows downward upon a female in the driveway across the street. As she spoke with the 911 operator, she observed a red Suburban leave quickly from the area.

The driver of the car was the defendant’s cousin, who had been in the back yard when he heard Zoila exclaim, "Jesus stabbed me!" Sanchez demanded that his cousin drive him from the scene. Zoila died after being transported to Memorial Hospital. The cause of death was determined to be a stab wound to the chest that penetrated the lung and heart. The defendant was located five days later in Parowan City, Utah.

Sentencing is scheduled to be heard by Superior Court Judge Gary Antolini on September 11, 2006, at 8:30 a.m. Chief Deputy District Attorney Joan Risse was the assigned prosecutor on the case.