Trials delayed for brothers charged in murder

Clark County

Discussion

March 1, 2010

By MATT THACKER The News and Tribune Mon Mar 01, 2010, 09:20 PM EST

Two brothers charged in a murder case that began in New Albany and ended with the victim being dumped in the Ohio River in Clarksville may be tried separately.

Juan and Ramon Sandoval Romero originally had been scheduled to go to trial this week, but the cases were then separated. Ramon’s case was still set for trial until last week when Clark County Superior Court No. 1 Judge Vicki Carmichael granted a continuance.

“I think if the state wanted to join them they could, but there are some evidentiary reasons not to,” said Jeffrey Stonebraker, public defender for Ramon.

“Usually it’s easier for everybody” to have separate trials, Stonebraker said.

The two men are accused of stabbing 36-year-old Jose Fernandez outside his residence at 701 E. Spring St. in New Albany and then driving him to the Harrison Avenue boat ramp and drowning him in the Ohio River in November 2008.

Ramon, 20, allegedly confessed to investigators that Juan, 27, confronted Fernandez, which led to a fight. He said that he then got out of the car and used his roofing knife to stab Fernandez in the back as Juan was striking him.

They then took Fernandez’s car to the boat ramp and left it in gear as they pushed it into the river.

Fernandez filed an intimidation report against Juan just a few months before the murder. According to court records, Fernandez’s girlfriend had previously dated the older brother and police believe that may have led to the altercation.

Both brothers are scheduled for trial April 6, although Stonebraker says that will probably change. He said the state has indicated Juan’s trial will probably take place first.