MOTHER PLEADS FOR LIFE OF HER RAPIST-KILLER SON.Byline: Grace Lee Staff Writer VENTURA Ventura (vĕnt  `rə), city (1990 pop. 92,575), seat of Ventura co., SW Calif., on the Pacific coast in a farm and oil region; inc. 1866. - The mother of convicted Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. rapist rap·ist n. One who commits rape. Noun 1. rapist - someone who forces another to have sexual intercourse raper aggressor, assailant, assaulter, attacker - someone who attacks and killer Vincent Sanchez San·chez , Sonia Originally Wilsonia Driver. Born 1934. American poet, playwright, and African-American activist known for her use of urban speech rhythms and dialect in plays such as Malcolm/Man Don't Live Here No Mo told a jury on Wednesday Wednesday: see week. that she believes God can still change her youngest son. ``I believe God can work with Vince,'' Margaret Sanchez told the jury that will recommend whether he will face life in prison or be sentenced to death. ``I believe God can use him even in jail ... God can do anything.'' The 32-year-old former handyman was found guilty this month of murdering 20-year-old Megan Barroso during a kidnap and attempted rape in July 2001. He had already faced life in prison for raping or attempting to rape nearly a dozen women between 1996 and 2001. Margaret Sanchez testified that as a child, Sanchez had been a happy, social boy who was not afraid of new challenges. She said she could not remember why he decided to drop out of high school. Nor did she understand why her son went on to commit a string of rapes and eventually kill Megan Barroso with an AK-47 on her way home from a Fourth of July Fourth of July, Independence Day, or July Fourth, U.S. holiday, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Celebration of it began during the American Revolution. party. ``I asked him why he did it. He said he didn't know,'' she said. Margaret Sanchez, who said she has tried to block out the years before her husband stopped drinking, would not answer defense attorney Jan Helfrich when asked if there was violence in their home. Margaret Sanchez said she continues to pray every day that the family of Megan Barroso ``will find peace,'' but also added that said she wants her son to live. ``He's artistic. He writes poems. I've just sent him literature (for when) he gets back on track with God.'' Grace Lee, (805) 662-6757 grace.lee(at)dailynews.com |
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