Murder trial begins Monday

Sanchez
– OCP file photo

Murder trial begins Monday

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor

HART — The trial for a 33-year-old Muskegon man accused of shooting and killing a 28-year-old man with a handgun June 12, 2022 begins Monday, Sept. 18, in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court.

Carlos Andres Sanchez, of 3860 Manatee Ave., is accused of murdering Miguel Angel Gutierrez, of 4357 Louise St,, Muskegon. Sanchez, who is lodged in the Oceana County Jail on a $500,000 cash bond, 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.

Sanchez with his attorney Julie Springstead-Waltz. Pictured in the background are investigators, Det. Mark Hiddema and Lt. Shane Hasty, of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office. – OCP file photo

Witness testimony during a preliminary examination 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 “wife swap” 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.

Crystal Gonzalez.
– OCP file photo

“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.

The two-week jury trial is scheduled for Sept. 18-22 and Sept. 25-29. Trials begin with the voir dire process or jury selection.

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