JAMUL RANCH HAND, A "FREQUENT BORDER CROSSER," ARRAIGNED IN VIOLENT DEATH OF WOMAN

By Billie Jo Jannen
For East County Magazine

March 18, 2011 (Jamul) -- Jamul resident Miguel Medina Sanchez, age 32, was arraigned yesterday afternoon in the murder of Maria Irma Palos De Rubio, who is also believed by officials to be a resident of Jamul.  Deputy District Attorney Claudia Grosso, the prosecutor assigned to the case, said  charges include a special circumstances charge of using a knife, which would add a year to Sanchez’ sentence if he is convicted.

Sanchez pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail pending appointment of a public defender, Sanchez said. The charges carry a possible sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

Sanchez was the subject of a brief manhunt after Rubio, age 44, was found dead in his home. He was discovered on Monday, March 14 at Sharp Grossmont Hospital where he had been admitted under the name of Lorenzo Marcario.

Deputies were called to an upscale estate home on the 15000 block of Lyons Valley Road on Saturday, March 12, by one of the homeowners on the property. Sanchez lived in a smaller residence and works there as a ranch hand, according to Sheriff’s Lt. Dennis Brugos in a press release.

Brugos said that the body was initially believed to be that of Sanchez, but upon entry to the house, deputies, instead, found Rubio already dead and Sanchez, absent.

He was arrested at the hospital and booked into San Diego Central Jail on March 15.

Sanchez also uses the alias Macario Lopez Merino. Grosso said Sanchez is believed to be his real name and his immigration status is currently under review. Sanchez is described by deputies as a Mexican national and a “frequent border crosser.”

Rubio died of stab wounds to her torso, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s website. Though the murder weapon has been described as a machete in various news accounts, the medical examiner did not confirm this, nor will San Diego County deputies discuss it.

“Not everything you read … is always true,” Sheriff’s Sgt. Roy Frank said noncommitally.

Prosecutor Grosso said, “A machete was found at the scene,” but added that a knife had also been found and she has yet to learn which weapon might have been used to stab Rubio.

Rubio’s time of death has not been given, though Sanchez was admitted to Grossmont on Friday, March 11, a day before deputies were called to the scene.

The case is scheduled for a readiness conference on March 25 in Dept. 2, Grosso said, and a preliminary hearing on March 30.

The latter, she added, will probably be rescheduled to a later date.