GAINESVILLE - The jury heard opening arguments and heard from the first witnesses Wednesday in the trial of a Flowery Branch man accused of a double slaying six years ago, and facing the death penalty if convicted.
Defense Attorney Raymond George opened by holding up a paper sign that read "Vergara did not shoot anybody."
George told jurors seated Wednesday morning that would be the defense theme of this trial, that Ignacio Vergara did not kill Alejandro Santana, 25, of Buford, and Francesco Saucedo, 26, of Duluth in a set-up deal to steal their cocaine and then murder them in March 2002.
Police had discovered their bullet-riddled bodies in a parked car on Bragg Road near Flowery Branch.
Assistant District Attorney Alison Toller opened with a different theme.
"We are here today because of that man," Toller declared, as she pointed to Vergara, seated at the defense table, wearing a pair of ear phones so he could hear the Spanish translation of what was said in court. "No murder would have occurred, but for that man."
Toller said while Vergara did not pull the trigger, he was just as guilty as his co-defendant, Brigido Topo Soto; Soto has pleaded guilty.
Toller said the state intends to prove Vergara and Soto had arranged to buy cocaine from the victims but instead carried out plans to kill them and steal the drugs, but Vergara masterminded that plan.
"Vergara was greedy, after quick money," Toller told jurors. "We expect the evidence in this case to show that he (Vergara) brought the gun to Bragg Road on March 13, 2002, that he directed Brigido Soto to shoot both victims."
George reviewed the counts against Vergara and said there is no evidence against him - except Soto's testimony - proving he did any of the things he's accused of.
Vergara is also accused of armed robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault and theft by receiving stolen property.
Friday
October 18th, 2024
2:19AM
