| For Immediate Release September 12, 2006 |
Contact: | Susan Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel (714) 347-8408 Office (714) 323-4486 Cell |
JURY TRIAL TO BEGIN ON EX-HUSBAND CHARGED WITH MURDERING ESTRANGED WIFE AND HER NEW BOYFRIEND AFTER SHE OBTAINED RESTRAINING ORDER
SANTA ANA – Jury selection will begin tomorrow on a special circumstances double murder case involving an ex-husband who is charged with murdering his estranged spouse and her new boyfriend. Roberto Sarabia, 54, Santa Ana, is also charged with the enhancement of personally and intentionally discharging a firearm. The trial will take place in C-35, Central Justice Center in Santa Ana, before the Honorable Frank Fasel. If convicted, Sarabia faces life without the possibility of parole.
On November 19, 2004, the ex-wife, Olga Sarabia, 47, Santa Ana, who was divorcing the defendant after 26 years of marriage, obtained a protective order which mandated her husband have no contact with her. They had a 22-year-old son and a 24-year-old daughter together.
On November 28, 2004, Olga Sarabia was at a crowded restaurant in a strip mall with her new boyfriend, Jose Huerta, 44, Hammonton, N.J. The strip mall called Park & Shop Center is located at the corner of 5th Street and Newhope in Santa Ana.
At about 9:50 a.m., the defendant is accused of shooting Huerta five times and chasing down Olga Sarabia and shooting her three times. The defendant is accused of shooting her in the head, walking around the parking lot, coming back to check on her and shooting her again. The defendant was arrested at the scene.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Ebrahim Baytieh of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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