Pair enters not guilty pleas in Stow beating case

Aug. 10, 2011

CSNBayArea.com staff

LOS ANGELES -- The two men accused in the Opening Day attack on Giants fan Bryan Stow entered not guilty pleas in a Southern California courtroom Wednesday morning.

Louie Sanchez, 29, and Marvin Norwood, 30, are charged with mayhem, assault and battery in the attack on Stow, who remains at San Francisco General Hospital with a traumatic brain injury. Sanchez is also charged with battery for hitting a woman with a soda and pushing another man on March 31 at Dodger Stadium.

The judge ordered Norwood and Sanchez held in lieu of 500,000 bail each, pending a Sept. 30 hearing on motions.

According to courtroom reports, the attorney for Sanchez withdrew a motion to reduce his bail. The accused stood far apart in court and did not look at each other during the arraignment. They spoke only through their attorneys.

Los Angeles prosecutors contend that the two men have made incriminating statements.

"This is not an identification case. There are statements made by both defendants that will be used in the prosecution," Deputy Dist. Atty. Frank Santoro told the Los Angeles Times. "I would call them admissions."

Outside court, Sanchez's attorney, Gilbert Quinones, was asked about the prosecutor's assertion.

"Making assertions and proving them are two different things," he said.

Among the Wednesday rulings was a denial of a motion to allow cameras in the court, based on an objection from the defense.

Prosecutors contend in court papers that the high bail amounts are justified since the severity of the injuries to Stow more closely resembled "homicide than an ordinary assault.''

The pair were arrested last month along with Sanchez's sister, Dorene Sanchez, who testified before a grand jury about the case.

Prosecutors contend that Sanchez hit two of Stow's friends before chasing down Stow and punching him from behind in the side of his head.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Gary Hearnsberger has stated that Sanchez and Norwood pose a threat to public safety. Both have access to firearms, prosecutors allege. A search of Norwood's home turned up five firearms, including an AR-15 assault rifle.

Norwood has a prior assault conviction and Sanchez has prior convictions for drunk driving and evading police.

The latest report from the Stow family detailed the 42-year-old's progress, indicating that the nurse overseeing his care was "shocked and excited" to see Stow's responses.

Last week Stow underwent a lumbar drain -- a process to remove excess spinal fluid -- and the result was increased responsiveness, according to the official family Web site.

The following was published to the site on Sunday:
"Yesterday we got the most response from Bry to date. He lifted his left leg slightly when asked, he raised his left arm everytime we asked if we could hold his hand, and the best part? Bonnie asked Bryan if she could have a kiss and every time she asked him, he puckered his lips. The final time when she was leaving, Bonnie asked again for a kiss. Bry turned his head towards her, puckered his lips for the kiss, then turned his head back. The nurse was shocked and excited to see that!"

Stow and his friends reportedly were involved in two altercations with Sanchez and Norwood, according to the DA's filing. Stow and his friends walked away from the first encounter, but Sanchez and Norwood continued to follow them in the stadium parking lot, according to the DA.

As Stow was being confronted by Norwood, the District Attorney's filing alleges that Sanchez punched Stow in the side of the head and knocked him to the ground. Stow's friends then saw his head strike the concrete.

Sanchez took part in four assaults at the stadium, according to court documents.

After the game, Sanchez ran at a group of men and swung a fist at one, then approached Stow and his friends, according to the DA.

On the day before the July 31 hearing at which the DA's account was submitted, a key witnesses identified in the court documents died. Mathew Lee, one of Bryan Stow's friends who witnessed the opening day attack, died as a result of a peanut allergy, according to authorities.

The Associated Press and NBC4-Los Angeles contributed to this report.