A Ladyville barber is tonight facing down a double murder conviction after a High Court Judge completely rejected his "fairy-tale" defense.
It was the double murder that shocked the whole country. Back in April 2023, 50 year old Desiree Gonzalez and her 25 year old brother in law George Rochester were found shot dead in her Ladyville home. The suspect was her husband, Miguelito Encalada - who also owned the murder weapon, a licensed 9 millimeter pistol. After the murder, a selfie surfaced showing Encalada lying on top of the bodies.
Throughout the trial, which began back on March 12th, Encalada maintained his innocence. In a dock statement delivered on March 30th, Encalada claimed that unidentified gunmen invaded his business place while he was passed out in a chair from drinking.
Encalada claimed the mysterious gunmen stole up to $8,000 from him, forced him to the ground, but miraculously spared his life.
But Justice Nanton didn't buy the story. She flatly rejected the notion of a home invasion where the intruders executed two innocent people but left the sole armed property owner completely unharmed.
At exactly 2:03 PM today, Miguelito Encalada was escorted into the prisoner's box. By 2:08 PM, his fate was sealed. In a remarkably swift five-minute session, Justice Candace Nanton handed down two counts of guilty for murder.
The courtroom was packed to capacity with the families of both sides - including Encalada's mother and uncle, alongside his wife's grieving mother and sisters. Outside the courtroom, emotions were mixed, but relatives ultimately chose silence as they watched Encalada get led away.
So, what happens next for the convicted barber?
A final sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Monday, July 20 pending a psychiatric evaluation, a social inquiry report, and victim impact statements for the relatives of both victims.
