×

Vasquez murder trial resumes

NEW ULM — The murder trial of Miguel A. Vasquez resumes Tuesday morning at the Brown County Courthouse. Vasquez stands accused of the first-degree murder and dismemberment of his ex-girlfriend, 23-year-old Amber Lechuga, and burning her remains in a vehicle fire 3 miles south of Sleepy Eye on Sept. 25, 2014.

The trial began last November but was suspended following the defendant’s suicide attempt. On Nov. 7 Vasquez wounded himself by biting into his wrist.

The suicide attempt occurred the day before the defendant’s sister Janet was scheduled to testify.

After the suicide attempt, Brown County District Judge Robert Docherty ordered a mental health assessment and later ordered a state mental illness examination. This is the second mental assessment conducted on Vasquez.

In February of last year, Vasquez’ attorneys attempted to have him declared incompetent to stand trial due to amnesia on the night of the incident. Docherty ruled against this motion.

Last October, Vasquez waived his right to a jury trial, giving Docherty the final decision in a bench trial. At the start of the trial on Nov. 2 the defense once again issued a motion to declare Vasquez incompetent due to memory loss but Docherty denied the motion.

The first days of the trial saw testimony from law enforcement officials and first responders on duty the night of Sept. 25, 2014. Dr. Butch Huston, a Ramsey County forensic pathologist, testified for the prosecution, stating Lechuga’s death was a homicide and was the result of multiple gun shot wounds to the head. During his testimony Huston showed the court several graphic pictures of the autopsy, which included images of Lechuga’s severed head, burnt torso and bone fragments.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper?
   

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.38/week.

Subscribe Today