Time of Barroso’s Death Disputed

There is not enough evidence to determine how long Megan Barroso could have lived after being shot in the abdomen two years ago, a medical expert testified Tuesday.

The time of Barroso’s death has emerged as a crucial point in the trial of Vincent Sanchez, who is accused of trying to rape the Moorpark College student after shooting her with an assault rifle. Two pathologists previously testified that Barroso, 20, could have lived for a day or more after a bullet ripped through her car and hit her.

But Dr. Martin Fackler, a former military surgeon called by the defense, testified that because of decomposition, it is difficult to determine how long Barroso could have survived.

“There is so much uncertainty,” Fackler said, testifying that Barroso could have lived for as little as 15 minutes or as long as two days.

Fackler said that only a portion of the fatal bullet was recovered from Barroso’s body, which was found in a ravine near Simi Valley a month after the shooting. He said it is possible a bullet fragment, not recovered by pathologists or crime scene investigators, struck vital blood vessels and exited her body, hastening her death.

On cross-examination, prosecutor Lela Henke-Dobroth said that no exit wound was found during the autopsy and no exit hole was found in Barroso’s shirt. Fackler acknowledged those facts, but said they didn’t necessarily rule out his scenario.

Prosecutors contend that the 32-year-old Sanchez, a Simi Valley handyman, shot at Barroso’s car at a Moorpark intersection on July 5, 2001, so he could kidnap and sexually assault her. They have charged Sanchez with first-degree murder, kidnapping and attempted rape. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

But defense attorneys say their mentally unstable client shot Barroso during an alcohol-fueled rage. They say there is no evidence of a rape attempt and have suggested that Barroso died before one could have occurred.

Testimony resumes today.