By David Lohr
January 17, 2007
BUFFALO, N.Y. (Crime Library) — Altemio Sanchez made his first court appearance yesterday at his arraignment in Erie County Court. He made no comments during the brief proceedings and entered a plea of not guilty to one count of second-degree murder in the rape-strangulation of Majane Mazur, 32, in 1992. Following the court proceedings, the defendant was returned to his holding cell.
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| Altemio Sanchez in custody |
Sanchez was arrested on Monday after DNA evidence linked him to three homicides carried out by the media-dubbed "Bike Path Rapist." Following the arraignment, Sanchez's attorney, Andrew LoTempio, told The Associated Press the family is adamant that authorities have the wrong man.
"They demanded to be here to show support to Mr. Sanchez," said LoTempio. "They do not believe any of this is true."
LoTempio has also spoken out against the DNA evidence, stating that he has never heard of a "100 percent" match before. He has also said that he wants an independent lab to review the test results. Erie County District Attorney Frank Clark stands by the results and has assured LoTempio he will have access to all of the tests.
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| Altemio Sanchez |
Sanchez's coworkers at Outokumpu American Brass in Buffalo are having a difficult time with his arrest. In an interview with WIVB, friend and coworker Dave Hefferon said, "If you knew the guy, you would think my God, it's gotta be a mistake...If I was gonna say a person I'd like to be like, I'd say him. That's the kinda guy he is."
Next Page
Suspect Arrested in Bike Path Murders
Police Track Down Hundreds of Leads In Hunt for Bike Path Rapist
New Hotline Set Up for Tips on Bike Path Rapist
Joan Diver's Slaying "Irrefutably" Linked to Bike Path Rapist
$100,000 Reward Offer for Capture of Joan Diver's Killer
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