Jury Seated for Trial of Admitted Simi Rapist
A Ventura County jury will begin to hear testimony next week in the murder trial of admitted serial rapist Vincent Sanchez, who is accused of fatally shooting a college student during a kidnapping and rape attempt two years ago.
Prosecutors and defense lawyers settled on a panel of 12 jurors and five alternates Monday after screening about 800 prospects during the last two weeks.
Opening statements are scheduled to begin May 5.
Sanchez, 32, is charged with murder, kidnapping and attempted rape in the slaying of Megan Barroso, 20, a community college student whose bullet-riddled car was found abandoned near a freeway in Moorpark on July 5, 2001.
Barroso’s remains were discovered a month later in a ravine near Simi Valley, and investigators linked the homicide to Sanchez, a Simi Valley handyman who has since admitted raping seven women in that city between 1996 and 2001.
Sanchez has pleaded guilty to numerous sex-assault charges, and through his lawyers has admitted shooting Barroso. But defense attorneys maintain there was no kidnapping or attempt to rape Barroso, as prosecutors have alleged.
The district attorney is seeking the death penalty, and testimony in the case is expected to last nearly two months.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
