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NEW ULM – Graphic images of Amber Lechuga’s remains were entered into evidence during day two of murder trial of Miguel Angel Vasquez of Springfield.
The 28-year-old Vasquez is 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 three miles south of Sleepy Eye on Sept. 25, 2014. Vasquez is also charged with two counts of second-degree murder and second-degree arson committed on Sept. 25, 2014.
Ramsey County Forensic pathologist Dr. Butch Huston testified for the prosecution that Lechuga’s death was a homicide and was the result of multiple gun shot wounds to the head. Using an overhead projector, Huston showed the court pictures taken during Lechuga’s autopsy, which included images of the her severed head, burnt torso and numerous bone fragments.
The photo evidence showed two wounds to the back of the victim’s head which Huston identified as small caliber bullet wounds such as .22 caliber. Bleeding was detected in the soft tissue, indicating Lechuga was alive at the time of shooting. Huston could not say which shot was fired first, but said either wound would be fatal. He said this also ruled out suicide as a likely cause of death.
Photos of Lechuga’s charred lungs were displayed. Huston’s examination confirmed she had died before being set on fire. Photos of bone fragments recovered from the van fire suggested dismemberment. With photos of the bone fragments, Huston identified lining on the bones consistent with tool marks made by a sharp bladed object.
Huston could not to give a precise time of death for Lechuga based on the condition of the body, but said based on the head’s lack of decomposition, her death occurred shortly before its recovery.
Other witnesses for the prosecution were used to discredit Vasquez’s alibi for the night of Sept. 25. Vasquez initially stated he was driving from Sleepy Eye to St. James to pick up Lechuga when a second vehicle rear-ended his van, forcing him to pull over. Vasquez claimed after stopping he was struck on the head and became unconscious and later woke up doused in gasoline in his burning van. He then ran from his van and removed his burning clothes before calling 911.
Dr. Harman Dhaliwal testified to treating Vasquez after an ambulance crew transferred him to Sleepy Eye Medical. Vasquez told Dhaliwal his version of events, but she found no evidence of smoke inhalation, as would be expected for an unconscious person in a fire. Vasquez did have physical burns, but Dhaliwal described them as more consistent with flash burning.
A scan of Vasquez’s head found no hemorrhage, which Dhaliwal said did not correlate with his story of being knocked unconscious.
Hennepin County Medical Center burn specialist Dr. Ryan Fey also treated Vasquez. Fey confirmed a second scan of Vasquez’s head showed no internal bleeding and could find no physical evidence confirming he lost consciousness. Fey also testified the burns on Vasquez’s body were mostly first-degree burns with a small second-degree burn. Fey said a person engulfed in fire and covered in accelerants would have injuries more severe than first-degree burns. In addition, a person removing burning clothes would be expected to have burns on his hands, but no such injuries were found on Vasquez’ hands.
The court also heard testimony from forensic scientist Joseph Cooksley with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). Cooksley and his team processed the scene of the van fire and the Springfield apartment Vasquez shared with Lechuga. In searching the apartment, BCA searched for items forensically linked to the other fire scene, which included, but was not limited to, accelerants, bladed tools and firearms. Cooksley identified several bladed tools and firearms located at the residence as well as a bloodstained mattress and bloodstained sheets. The bloodstained mattress was stripped of sheets during the initial search. The sheets were found in another part of the apartment.
During cross examination, Public Defender Steve Bergeson asked if a computer or tablet device was found under the bed during the initial investigation. Cooksley said he did not recall seeing one and his notes did not mention a tablet device.
A tablet device was found under a bed in the apartment after the initial BCA search. The tablet had been used for internet searches for “how hard is the human head?” and “how to sharpen a machete.”
The defense previously argued in its opening statement the defendant’s tablet was not found during initial searches because it was planted by the Lechuga family after the details of the crime were released.
Cooksley was unable to confirm if a tablet was seen during the first search of the apartment, but said electronics were not the focus of the forensic team.
The Vasquez trial will resume at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 7 with further testimony from the prosecution. The trial is expected to proceed next week.
Vasquez has waived his right for a trial by jury in favor of a bench trial. Judge Robert A. Docherty will make the final decision on this case.