Prosecutors plan to meet with lawyers for the two suspected
killers of 73-year-old Ralph Santos on Tuesday to decide on a
proposed plea bargain that would lessen a murder charge for Eliseo
Rojas to voluntary manslaughter.
Rojas’ attorney Bud Landreth, who proposed the plea bargain to
District Attorney John Sarsfield’s office, said they expect to make
a decision Tuesday.
Hollister – Prosecutors plan to meet with lawyers for the two suspected killers of 73-year-old Ralph Santos on Tuesday to decide on a proposed plea bargain that would lessen a murder charge for Eliseo Rojas to voluntary manslaughter.
Rojas’ attorney Bud Landreth, who proposed the plea bargain to District Attorney John Sarsfield’s office, said they expect to make a decision Tuesday.
“We should have a definite answer next Tuesday afternoon,” Landreth said.
The proposal has been on the table since early August. But prosecutors at the time had not informed the Santos family of the potential plea bargain, and Sarsfield put off making a decision until that could happen. Sarsfield and deputy DA Stephen Wagner met with the family and their attorney about three weeks ago.
Rojas, 25, and Eusebio Ramos, 31, face murder charges that could put them behind bars for life. They’re accused of murdering Santos in June 2003, when his body was discovered in a mustard seed field off Buena Vista Road.
They also face a special allegation charge of a hate crime because their suspected motive was Santos’ lifestyle that included soliciting sex from men.
If Rojas strikes the plea deal – which includes a manslaughter charge and the special allegation – his maximum sentence would be 12 years in prison. As part of the deal, he would have to testify against Ramos.
Kollin Kosmicki covers politics for the Free Lance. Reach him at 637-5566, ext. 331 or [email protected].
