By David Lohr
January 29, 2007
BUFFALO, N.Y. (Crime Library) — Last week, an Erie County grand jury indicted Altemio Sanchez, 49, for the murders of Majane Mazur and Linda Yalem. Sanchez is also the primary suspect in the death of Joan Diver, 45, whose body was found on a bike path in Newstead last fall, but the district attorney was unable to produce enough evidence to secure an indictment in her murder.
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Altemio Sanchez |
In an interview with NBC 12, Erie County District Attorney Frank Clark explained that his office is still working on charges in the Diver case.
"I think Diver presents particular problems," Clark said. "All we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt at this time is that he was in her car, being fair with DNA, it could havebeen there the day before."
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Joan Diver |
While the district attorney's office sorts out the charges against Sanchez, investigators with the Buffalo Police Department are looking for possible ties to other area attacks. One case in particular has investigators concerned that a man may have been wrongfully convicted.
In 1987, Anthony J. Capozzi, a mentally disabled man who maintained his innocence, was sentenced to 11 to 35 years for two rapes that occurred in 1983 and 1984. Capozzi, now 50, is scheduled for a parole hearing this spring. He has served over 21 years of his life behind bars for the crimes.
Next Page
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$100,000 Reward Offer for Capture of Joan Diver's Killer
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