NEWS

Sanchez guilty: 'Justice for all'

Andrea Fisher
anfisher@greatfallstribune.com

BILLINGS — A jury found Adam Sanchez Jr. guilty of all counts, including deliberate homicide, after about four hours of deliberation Wednesday.

Robynn Dunn, the wife of Deputy Joe Dunn, embraces Joe Dunn's mother, Linda, after Adam Sanchez Jr. was found guilty on all 5 counts including deliberate homicide in the August 2014 death of Deputy Dunn, on Wednesday at the Yellowstone County Courthouse, October 7, 2015.  The 12 person jury deliberated for a little more than 4 hours at the Yellowstone County Courthouse before finding the the defendant guilty.

Sanchez was accused of killing Cascade County Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Dunn, 33, on Aug. 14, 2014, with his vehicle during a high-speed chase as Dunn put down stop sticks outside of Belt.

The trial was held at Yellowstone County Courthouse in Billings because of pretrial publicity in Great Falls.

Robynn Dunn, Joe's widow who has become a symbol of strength and inspiration for the community, gave her mother-in-law, Linda, a long hug after the verdict was read.

Both Robynn and Cascade County Sheriff Bob Edwards had tears of relief in their eyes.

“I lost it,” Edwards said after the courtroom had mostly cleared of spectators.

Edwards let out an audible breath as presiding District Judge Dirk Sandefur read the jury’s verdict: guilty of count one, deliberate homicide under the felony murder rule with the underlying charge of assault with a weapon. The sheriff explained he was so relieved by the conviction he didn’t hear the jury’s decisions about the other four counts and had to ask someone about them.

Sanchez also was found guilty of three other felonies, criminal endangerment for nearly striking the Davis family’s vehicle with an 8-day-old baby inside on 57th street, assault with a weapon for steering his vehicle toward Great Falls Police Officer Rick Brinka on River Drive and assault on a peace officer for injuring Great Falls Police Officer Clint Houston during the struggle to subdue Sanchez after the pursuit ended.

The jury chose to convict Sanchez of one misdemeanor, negligent endangerment, which was the lesser-included offense of criminal endangerment related to the defendant’s second near-collision involving Jerry Gray’s pickup truck on the 15th Street Bridge.

Parker called the verdict “justice for all five victims,” especially Dunn.

“I’m hopeful this brings comfort and peace to Joe’s family,” he added.

It will provide some relief for the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office as a whole, according to Edwards, who called the trial process emotionally and mentally draining.

“I’m praying for sleep tonight,” he added.

Edwards commended Parker and fellow prosecutor Josh Racki for “paint[ing] the right picture for the jury” as the state made its case.

It was a thought Robynn shared shortly before closing arguments Tuesday afternoon, explaining that the community wasn’t fully aware of what happened on Aug. 14, 2014, until the evidence was presented to the jury.

Robynn left the courtroom soon after the verdict was read, hugging Edwards, Cascade County Attorney John Parker and members of law enforcement who attended court before she did. She previously expressed the intention to speak publicly at Sanchez’s sentencing hearing.

Sanchez had little reaction.

Adam Sanchez Jr. is led out of the courtroom at the Yellowstone County Courthouse on Wednesday after being convicted on all 5 counts he was charged with including deliberate homicide for the 2014 death of Cascade County Sheriff's Deputy Joe Dunn.

Spectators could hear his shackles as Sanchez was escorted into the courtroom before the verdict was delivered. It was the first time he was seen in restraints during the trial. He was remanded to the custody of the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office until a transfer order is secured to bring Sanchez back to the Montana State Prison, where he already is serving a 20-year sentence on two counts of criminal endangerment for a previous pursuit with law enforcement.

“This makes a huge statement,” Edwards said of the impact the conviction will have on the law enforcement community. “We’re going to do our job, we’re going to do it well … We’re still people. We’re not going to take abuse.”

Edwards expressed his gratitude for the Great Falls Police Department’s handling of the case. The GFPD was named the investigating agency, per policy, because of Dunn’s role as a deputy.

“I knew this investigation was in good hands,” Edwards added.

Parker agreed, calling the case difficult for the entire local law enforcement community.

Sanchez's attorney Tom Bartleson shook Parker's hand and congratulated him after court concluded.

Parker's office is seeking life without the possibility of parole.

“It’s a relief,” Parker said of the idea of Sanchez never again walking free. “The nightmare is over.”

Sentencing will be set by court order. It is expected to take place in six weeks.

Dunn is survived by Robynn and their two young children, Joey and Shiloh.