Kenneth Glad
A 21-year-old man pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder, arson and other charges linked to an attack at a Lancaster home. Four people and three dogs died, while prosecutors chose not to seek the death penalty.
Miguel Diego Sandoval, 21, pleaded guilty Thursday to charges stemming from the killings of four people at a Lancaster home, according to the Los Angeles Times.
His pleas covered multiple counts of murder as well as attempted murder, animal cruelty, arson and destruction of evidence. Formal sentencing has been scheduled for a later date.
Prosecutors decided not to seek the death penalty, so Sandoval now faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Relatives and friends of the victims packed the downtown Los Angeles courtroom for the plea hearing. Several later spoke directly about the people they lost and the effect the killings have had on their families.
The night of the killings
Prosecutors said Sandoval went to the Lancaster home after his relationship with Dillon Maquindang ended. According to the Los Angeles Times, he intended to find Dillon, but his former partner was not at the residence.
Sandoval entered while wearing a mask and instead targeted Dillon’s relatives and their partners. Janvi Maquindang, 24, and his sister Christine Aca-ac, 29, were shot along with Edwin Garcia, 24, and Matthew Montebello, 23.
Authorities said Sandoval then set the house on fire. Three dogs belonging to the family were unable to escape and died inside.
Janvi made it out of the burning property but later died from his injuries at a hospital.
Dillon’s younger sister, Tahnya, was also inside during the attack. Prosecutors said she survived after hiding behind a locked door while Sandoval moved through the home.
Prosecutors said Sandoval confessed to the killings during a recorded conversation from jail.
Survivors speak before sentencing
Nearly two years after the killings, relatives gathered in court as Sandoval entered his guilty plea.
Dillon addressed his former partner directly.
“You changed my life in ways I never asked for. But you did not take away my ability to live, to love and to find happiness again,” Dillon said.
Tahnya also confronted Sandoval during the hearing, calling him a “coward” as she spoke about his actions.
Jennifer Calhoun, the mother of Montebello’s best friend, told the court that Garcia and Aca-ac had begged for their lives before Sandoval shot them, writes the Los Angeles Times.
Many relatives in the courtroom wore white shirts bearing photographs of the victims and the words “forever in our hearts”.
Calhoun said the killings still affect the family in everyday life:
“It continues through every nightmare, every memory, every smell of smoke. Every birthday that will never be celebrated.”
Sandoval is scheduled to return to court for formal sentencing on November 17.
Sources: Los Angeles Times
