Accused killer’s case heads to trial

Carlos Sanchez

Accused killer’s case heads to trial

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor

HART — The case against a 33-year-old Muskegon man accused of shooting and killing a 28-year-old man with a handgun last June is heading to trial in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court.

Carlos Andres Sanchez, who is lodged in the Oceana County Jail on a $500,000 cash bond, appeared in court Monday morning, April 10, with his court-appointed attorney Julie Springstead Waltz for a status conference.

Sanchez, of 3860 Manatee Ave., is accused of murdering Miguel Angel Gutierrez, of 4357 Louise St,, Muskegon. He is charged with open murder and felony firearm.

The killing occurred around noon in the backyard of a residence at 8537 S. Robinhood Dr. in Grant Township — the home of Crystal Ramona Gonzalez.

Sanchez fled the scene in his pickup, but was captured by law enforcement in Muskegon County.

Witness testimony during a preliminary examination, Sept. 13, in 79th District Court revealed that the victim suffered seven gunshot wounds. Dr. Jared Brooks, a forensic and anatomic pathologist, testified that the autopsy determined that the cause of death was “multiple gunshot wounds” and the manner of death was “homicide.”

“He just got out of his truck; walked towards us; and started shooting,” said Crystal Gonzalez. Gonzalez said the defendant, Sanchez, is the father of her children.

A love triangle — or rectangle — appears to be the motive. “Carlos was messing with his baby mama, we were just going to talk to each other and get to know each other,” she said of the victim. 

“He got out of his truck; had a gun in his hand; and started shooting,” she said of Sanchez. “He emptied the round.”

Gonzalez testified that Gutierrez had spent the previous three nights at her home prior to his death.

During Monday’s court hearing, Springstead Waltz said she expects the trial to take a minimum of a week, and there are 65-70 potential witnesses.

A scheduling conference has been set for June 26 with a tentative trial date of Sept. 18-22. 

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