Trial close for San Bernardino man in death of estranged wife's boyfriend
SAN BERNARDINO - Lawyers in the case of Joe Anthony Sanchez are coming back to court Thursday to decide whether to move forward with a trial for the San Bernardino man suspected in the stabbing death of his estranged wife's boyfriend in 2007.
Both sides announced they were ready for trial during court proceedings Monday before Judge Arthur Harrison in San Bernardino Superior Court, where pre-trial motions and last-minute discovery concerns were still being ironed out, according to court records.
The trial is estimated to last 10 days.
In December, Joe Sanchez, 29, was ordered held on murder charges in connection with the death of 28-year-old Jose Alonso Madrigal on Aug. 19, 2007.
During a visit to the married couple's San Bernardino home where Charity Sanchez was living, Joe Sanchez talked his way inside and found Madrigal in the bedroom. Charity Sanchez told police she had a romantic relationship with Madrigal, who was fatally stabbed.
To learn more about the case, here is a story The Sun ran on Dec. 18 following a preliminary hearing for Joe Sanchez in Superior Court.
Sun, The (San Bernardino, CA)
December 18, 2007
SB man facing charges in stabbing death
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
A San Bernardino man will face murder charges in the stabbing death of his estranged wife's boyfriend in the married couple's home in August.
During a hearing Tuesday before Judge Robert J. Lemkau in San Bernardino Superior Court, Joe Anthony Sanchez, 29, was ordered held on murder charges in the death of 28-year-old Jose Alonso Madrigal.
The case drew regional attention during a search for Sanchez and the couple's four children in the wake of Madrigal's death. With the help of an Amber Alert, a motorist spotted the fleeing father, who was arrested on the 10 Freeway in Upland the following day.
Police say Sanchez's wife, Charity Sanchez, 24, found her husband outside their San Bernardino home after hearing noises about 3:40 a.m. on Aug. 19, according to Detective Steve Turner.
"Joe, what are you doing here? I told you not to come around," Turner testified that Charity Sanchez told her husband. She let Sanchez inside to use the bathroom, but he detoured to a dark bedroom and found Madrigal.
Turner testified that an upset Sanchez retrieved a large hunting knife from a nearby dresser and went after Madrigal, who suffered several stab wounds to the head and neck.
Joe Sanchez then reportedly chased his wife into the street for several blocks, throwing the knife at her three times, she told police. He missed each time.
Charity Sanchez told police she had a romantic relationship with Madrigal, Turner testified.
The defense argued Sanchez was in the "heat of passion" when he discovered another man with his wife of seven years in the couple's home.
The defense also alleged that Charity Sanchez gave the knife to Madrigal, who then attacked Joe Sanchez when he came into the bedroom. Madrigal was stabbed during a struggle for the knife, according to the defense.
Joe Sanchez faces charges of murder, attempted murder and a special allegation for using a knife. If convicted, he faces up to life in state prison.
(c) 2007 The Sun. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Media NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.
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