Sanchez Jurors Visit Crime Scenes

It was a somber scene Thursday as jurors in the Vincent Sanchez murder trial toured the freeway interchange where Moorpark College student Megan Barroso was killed and the desolate ravine near Simi Valley where her decomposed body was later found.

Sanchez, 32, of Simi Valley has pleaded guilty or no contest to criminal charges in connection with numerous rapes and assaults between 1996 and 2001.

But he has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, kidnapping and attempted rape in connection with the July 5, 2001, slaying of Barroso.

Prosecutors are trying to prove that Sanchez shot Barroso during an attempted rape and kidnapping.

But defense attorneys say there is no direct evidence that Barroso was sexually assaulted.

And gunshots fired at Barroso’s car were intended to kill her, and were not part of a kidnap attempt, defense attorneys say.

The distinction is important, because if the jury finds that Sanchez had intended to rape or kidnap Barroso, he could face the death penalty.

On Thursday, as clouds gave way to drizzle, jurors got a look at key scenes for themselves.

Such outings are not uncommon in high-profile cases, said defense attorney Neil Quinn.

“It gives the jury a sense of actually seeing things firsthand,” Quinn said.

Jurors first examined Sanchez’s green Ford Ranger truck and Barroso’s green Pontiac Sunfire side by side in a Ventura Sheriff’s Department parking lot. They stared at the holes in the Sunfire’s left-side door made by the bullets that pierced Barroso’s abdomen and fatally wounded her.

Next, they traveled by bus to the intersection of New Los Angeles Avenue and California 23, where Barroso and Sanchez had their deadly, early morning confrontation.

It was there that Barroso stopped after Sanchez attempted to run her off the highway, prosecutors said. He allegedly sped to the intersection before her and opened fire with an AK-47 to stop her.

He then pulled Barroso from the car, put her in his truck and drove to another location where he attempted to rape her before she died, prosecutors said.

Sanchez’s lawyers have said that their client, after drinking alcohol and having a fight with his girlfriend, was out to kill someone.

As jurors examined the scene, motorists trying to exit at New Los Angeles Avenue were forced to find an alternate route, and drivers attempting to get on the 118 eastbound were diverted to the 23.

A short while later, jurors were taken to Black Canyon Road near Simi Valley, where Barroso’s decomposed body was found.

They walked along the winding road, staring down at the 50-foot ravine where a monthlong search for the teen ended.

The defense is expected to open its case early next week.