Plea agreement possibly in works for defendant in teacher slaying

By Dave Toplikar

Wednesday, July 13, 2011 | 12:56 p.m.

A plea agreement could be in the works for a 16-year-old girl who is one of six defendants accused of murder in the robbery, beating and eventual death of Timothy VanDerbosch.

VanDerbosch, a 50-year-old Eldorado High School physics and chemistry teacher, died when he was hit by truck after being attacked on Oct. 20, 2010, while walking to school.

The jury trial for one of the youngest defendants, Marisol Diaz, 16, which had been scheduled to get under way on Monday, was waived today and a status check date for a possible change of plea was set for 9 a.m. Aug. 29.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Robert Daskas told Clark County District Judge James Brennan that he had been contacted by Diaz’s attorney, Robert Langford, a couple of weeks ago indicating Langford wouldn’t be ready for trial. Daskas suggested setting a new date for a status check in the case.

When a court scheduler asked if Aug. 29 would be agreeable for a “change of plea,” Daskas said it would be “for a potential entry of plea.”

Outside the courtroom, Daskas would not comment on the status of that plea negotiation.

However, he did say while Diaz’s trial will not take place, another defendant in the case, Daniel Carrillo, 16, is scheduled to have his trial start on July 25.

All of the defendants have asked to be tried separately.

Marcos Coronel Castrejon, 20, will have his trial at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 6, while Bridget Lugo, 20, will have her jury trial at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 5.

The two defendants facing the death penalty will go last: Saul Farvela, 19, will have his trial at 10:30 a.m. March 5, 2012, and David Rosas, 20, will have his trial at 10:30 a.m. April 9 2012.

A grand jury 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.

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. 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.

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

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.

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.