ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 8, 1997 TAG: 9704080070
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK THE ROANOKE TIMES
The suspect, who was shot in a standoff with police last week, was charged Monday with killing his ex-girlfriend and her mother.
As Miguel Ortiz lay in a hospital bed Monday, a grand jury in the Roanoke Courthouse indicted him on charges of killing his former girlfriend and her mother before his standoff with police last week.
Ortiz, who was shot in the stomach by police during the standoff, was charged with capital murder, first-degree murder, burglary with intent to commit a felony and three firearm offenses.
The 23-year-old car wash attendant faces a possible death sentence if convicted of killing Sharon Casey, a Northwest Roanoke woman who broke off their relationship last month, and her mother, Deborah Casey.
Both women were found shot to death at the younger Casey's home in Caru Apartments off Melrose Avenue Northwest the night of April 1. Shortly before the shooting, Sharon Casey had been to a magistrate to obtain warrants charging Ortiz with vandalizing her car.
Authorities say Ortiz became enraged when he learned of the warrants and confronted Casey at her apartment.
Shortly after 9 p.m., Sharon Casey called 911. She told a police dispatcher that Ortiz had kicked in her door and hit her in the head with a knife. Police responded to the apartment and took her complaint, but were unable to find Ortiz.
About 10 p.m., neighbors reported hearing a scream and gunshots. When police arrived a second time, they found the bodies of Sharon Casey, 23, and her 42-year-old mother.
As more police arrived at the scene and a crowd of more than 100 gathered, an onlooker identified Ortiz, who was standing outside the building.
Ortiz pulled a gun and wrestled with one officer before breaking free. He then held more than 20 officers at bay for more than an hour - saying he had killed Casey and asking them to shoot him - before he took off running, witnesses say.
When he got to a wooded area, Ortiz was shot when he turned and raised his gun toward the approaching police officers, police said last week.
He was taken to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where he had remained since. Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Betty Jo Anthony said Ortiz was not served with the indictments Monday because he was not conscious.
Although his wounds are not considered life-threatening, Ortiz is expected to spend several weeks in the hospital before being transferred to Roanoke City Jail.
Ortiz had been charged with murder last week. But prosecutors sought the indictments Monday to streamline a process that would have required separate preliminary hearings. The original charges will be dropped, and the proceedings will start in Roanoke Circuit Court.
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