In April 2023, well-known Ladyville barber Miguel Encalada was arrested and charged with the murders of his wife, Desiree Elizabeth Gonzalez, and his brother, 25-year old, George Vincent Rochester.
It was an inexplicable double murder of family members that stunned the Ladyville community - especially after he seemed to take a selfie with the bodies.
Three years later, his double murder trial concluded earlier today before Justice Candace Nanton. And it ended with Encalda professing total innocence.
In a dock statement, he claimed that on the night of the incident he was inside his establishment drinking and fell asleep but awoke to the sound of gunshots being fired. He says a gunman entered his home and demanded that he lie on the ground, and the assailant then proceeded to burglarize the place, taking around $7,000 to $8,000. While on the ground that's when he claims he also saw his wife and brother lying next to him unresponsive. Encalada closed off his statement saying "I have nothing to do with my common-law wife Desiree murder or my brothers death. I am an innocent man to this crime. I will leave it at this."
As many as 20 witnesses were called to testify. We note that Encalada also owns a 9mm pistol registered to him in November 2022, predating the murders. The Firearm Expert who also testified in the trial told the court that ballistic records show Encalda's licensed firearm matched the fragments found at the murder scene.
Justice Nanton is expected to give her decision on the matter until May 22, 2026. v Encalada is represented by attorney Hurl Hamilton.
