Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Trials to be set at end of March for defendants in teacher’s death

Attorneys have asked for separate trials for each of six defendants

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Timothy VanDerbosch

Teacher Death Suspects

Saul Farvela looks toward attorneys in court Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. He is among six people who have been arrested in the Oct. 20 robbery, beating and death of Timothy VanDerbosch, an Eldorado High School teacher. Launch slideshow »

Suspects in Teacher's Death

Marisol Diaz, Daniel Carrillo and Bridget Lugo make their second appearance in Las Vegas Justice Court Tuesday, November 30, 2010.  Launch slideshow »

The dates and the order of separate trials will be set later this month for five of the six people who are charged in the robbery, beating and eventual death of Timothy VanDerbosch. VanDerbosch, an Eldorado High School physics and chemistry teacher, was attacked on Oct. 20, 2010, as he was walking to school.

During a brief hearing this morning in Clark County District Court, Judge Jennifer Togliatti asked prosecutors and defense attorneys if they were getting close to working out dates for the separate trials.

After hearing they were, Togliatti said another court date for 9 a.m. March 31 to set the trial calendars for David Rosas, 20; Saul Favela, 19; Marcos Coronel Castrejon, 20; Daniel Carrillo, 16, and Bridget Lugo, 20.

The state will seek the death penalty for Favela and Rosas.

So far, the only one with a jury trial date is Marisol Diaz, whose trial will begin at 1:30 p.m. July 18 before Judge Kenneth Cory. Diaz's trial is expected to last two weeks.

A grand jury has indicted each of the six defendants on 24 felony counts in connection with the robbery, beating and death of VanDerbosch, as well as robberies and beatings of other victims.

The charges against the six include five counts of conspiracy to commit robbery, 10 counts of robbery with use of a deadly weapon, two counts of burglary while in possession of a firearm, three counts of battery with use of a deadly weapon, three counts of battery with intent to commit a crime and one count of murder with use of a deadly weapon.

All six remain in the Clark County Detention Center without bail.

VanDerbosch, 50, died Oct. 20 after he was allegedly chased, robbed, beaten into unconsciousness and run over by a truck while he was walking to Eldorado High School, where he taught chemistry and physics. He died at University Medical Center.

Police said they believe the six defendants committed a number of other robberies and beatings in the same time period.

The indictment alleges the six robbed 10 people, each time using a firearm and/or a knife. It alleges two of the victims allegedly had their vehicles stolen, one was hit in the head with a fist, two were hit with a firearm and one was stabbed in the leg with a knife.

Items allegedly taken from the victims include wallets, a briefcase, cell phones, purses, key chains, a debit card, a Social Security card, jeans, a gold chain, a phone charger, a hat and money.

In addition, the indictment alleges VanDerbosch was robbed using a firearm and/or a knife and was hit in the head and body by the defendants’ hands and/or feet, causing him to fall into the road, where he was fatally struck hit by a vehicle.

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