BOSTON, Nov. 18, 2013—A South Boston man and his teenaged son were formally charged with murder today for allegedly taking part in the violent attack yesterday that left 29-year-old Edwin Santos dead, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.
ANGEL SANCHEZ, 16, was arraigned this afternoon in South Boston District Court for his role in the fatal beating and stabbing. Though he is a Juvenile, Sanchez’ case is open to the public because he is charged with murder. At the request of Assistant District Attorney Mark Zanini, chief of the DA’s Juvenile Unit, Judge Michael Bolden ordered him held without bail.
At a second set of proceedings later today at Boston Medical Center, Sanchez’ father, ELIAS SANCHEZ (D.O.B. 1/12/70), was also charged with murder and similarly held without bail.
Zanini told the court that Santos was standing in front of a Dorchester Street market with a female friend just before 5:00 p.m. when Elias Sanchez approached him and began assaulting him with a club or baton. Within seconds, Zanini said, Angel Sanchez joined in, opening a knife and using it to stab Santos repeatedly.
A third man then joined the attack and investigators believe he, too, stabbed Santos. That man’s identity remains under investigation.
As Santos backed away from the three armed assailants and attempted to ward off the onslaught, his female friend attempted to defend him, first by trying to pull the attackers off of him and then by using a knife with which she had armed herself. Despite her efforts, however, the three men continued to beat and stab Santos “until the attackers tired of it,” Zanini said.
As Santos stumbled into the market and collapsed, the three men fled on foot. Based on witness statements and other evidence developed quickly by Boston Police, detectives went to the Sanchez’ residence on East 9th Street and found both defendants. Elias Sanchez was suffering from a stab wound for which he was transported to Boston Medical Center for treatment. Angel Sanchez was also treated for injuries that were less serious.
Santos died of multiple blunt trauma and stab wounds, including a gaping laceration across the top of his head and stab wounds to his torso.
Angel Sanchez is represented by attorney JW Carney. Elias Sanchez is represented by attorney Thomas Ford. They will return to South Boston court on Dec. 18. No charges have been sought against the victim’s female friend.
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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
