Man facing death penalty in teacher’s death considering plea deal

By Dave Toplikar

Thursday, March 29, 2012 | 11:30 a.m.

A man who could face the death penalty if convicted in the 2010 slaying of a Las Vegas teacher is hoping to work out a deal with prosecutors within three weeks.

Saul Farvela, 21, indicated to District Judge Jennifer Togliatti today that he would consider any offers prosecutors made to him through his court-appointed attorneys, Peter S. Christiansen and David T. Brown.

The judge set a status check hearing on the case for 9 a.m. April 19.

Farvela was allegedly in a group of six young people who authorities say committed five robberies on Oct. 20, 2010, including one that led to the death of Timothy VanDerbosch, an El Dorado High School physics and chemistry teacher.

VanDerbosch, 50, who was walking to school, was beat into unconsciousness and fell into the street, where he was hit by a truck and killed, police said.

Farvela, one of two people in the group facing the death penalty, had earlier told the judge that he was dissatisfied with his attorneys.

But at today's hearing, Farvella told Togliatti he had met with his attorneys and was satisfied about keeping them.

"Whatever concerns he had, I think we've addressed them," Christiansen said.

Christiansen told the judge that he has had several discussions with prosecutors since the new district attorney, Steve Wolfson, was sworn in.

"We've been in pretty regular communications trying to see if there is a non-death resolution out there, an offer for Mr. Farvela, who is a young guy and has not ever been in trouble," Christiansen said. "It's a tough thing for him to deal with, the defendant."

Christiansen told the judge that he and Chief Deputy District Attorney Robert Daskas planned to meet again later today.

Togliatti made sure that Farvela understood that his lawyers were ethically obligated to convey to him any offers prosecutors made and ethically obligated to give him their best advice.

"If you don't take it, that's OK," Togliatti told Farvela. "They'll still work zealously on your behalf to defend you."

Several of the other defendants who were up on murder charges for VanDerbosch's death have accepted plea agreements or are considering plea agreements.

The latest was Marcos Coronel Castrejon, 21, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the teacher's death, as well as to five felony counts of robbery and five felony counts of conspiracy to commit robbery. Castrejon's sentencing is set for 9 a.m. April 27.

Daniel Carrillo was sentenced on Oct. 7 , 2011, to a minimum of 19 years in prison after pleading guilty in July 2011 to several felonies, including second-degree murder.

Another defendant, Bridget Lugo, pleaded guilty to five felony counts of conspiracy to commit robbery in exchange for the 19 other felony charges, including murder with a deadly weapon, being dismissed. Her sentencing has been set for May 5.

Marisol Diaz, 16, received house arrest in a tentative deal her attorneys worked out in September that requires her to testify against her remaining codefendants. A hearing has been set for 9 a.m. May 9 to check on the status of those negotiations or to reset a date for her trial.

David Rosas, 21, who, like Farvela, faces the death penalty, has a hearing scheduled at 9 a.m. May 17 for a status case on his case. Rosas’ trial has tentatively been set for 10:30 a.m. Sept. 10.