Three suspects charged in teacher’s death appear in court
Three of six people charged with murder and robbery in the death of Eldorado High School teacher Timothy VanDerbosch appeared Friday in Las Vegas Justice Court.
Justice of the Peace Joe Sciscento ordered the initial appearance for Bridget Lugo, 20, Marisol Diaz, 16, and Daniel Carrillo, 16, delayed until Monday so that legal representation can be assigned to the three defendants.
Family members of the three defendants were also in the courtroom. Several of them were crying and one clutched rosary beads. One family member left the courtroom with tears streaming down his face, telling a court marshal he could no longer see his daughter in chains.
The three defendants appeared chained and wearing navy blue jail scrubs.
Lugo, Diaz and Carrillo, along with Marcos Coronel Castrejon, 20, Saul Favela, 19, and David F. Rosas, 19, are charged with multiple felony counts of robbery and conspiracy and one count of murder in the death of the 50-year-old teacher.
Authorities say VanDerbosch was walking from his home to Eldorado High School about 5:30 a.m. Oct. 20 when he was attacked near Washington Avenue and Betty Lane. Police think the defendants left VanDerbosch unconscious in the street. He then was hit by a passing truck and later died at University Medical Center.
Las Vegas police have said the “party crew” of minors and young adults attacked and robbed at least 10 people in the early morning hours of Oct. 20 for a thrill. Police said the victims were beaten even when they cooperated with the attackers. One victim was pistol whipped. Another man was stabbed in the calf.
Two juveniles who have not been identified were also arrested and charged with robbery and other crimes in connection with last month’s attacks.
According to arrest reports for Castrejon, Favela and Rosas, they admitted involvement in the robberies and the death of VanDerbosch .
The case is expected to be reviewed by the Clark County district attorney’s death penalty committee because there is at least one aggravating circumstance: felony robbery.
A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Dec. 1 for Castrejon, Favela, and Rosas, who appeared before Justice of the Peace Deborah Lippis earlier this week.
All six defendants are being held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center.
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.
