A jury was seated today for the trial of a Hemet resident accused of killing a man for whom he arranged sex and drug deals in order to steal his assets.
Phil Cardwell Garcia, 44, could face the death penalty if he is convicted of the April 2005 murder of 54-year-old Anthonie Wendler, and jurors find true a special circumstance allegation of killing for financial gain.
Garcia is also charged with fraud, possessing stolen checks and theft.
Opening statements are scheduled Monday in the courtroom of Riverside County Superior Court Judge F. Paul Dickerson.
According to testimony at Garcia's December 2008 preliminary hearing, the defendant befriended Wendler after he came into a large amount Advertisement
Sandra Bright of money from his late grandmother's estate.
Garcia would allegedly arrange dates with prostitutes and drug purchases for Wendler, who had a predilection for methamphetamine, according to witnesses.
The District Attorney's Office alleges that Garcia wanted to steal the victim's money. During the preliminary hearing, prosecutors showed the defendant had made numerous purchases on Wendler's charge accounts and had a driver's license with Wendler's information but Garcia's photo on it.
The victim's body was discovered by his adult daughter on the floor of his Hemet home on April 25, 2005. He had been dead for several days.
Garcia has prior convictions for auto theft, burglary and identity theft, according to court documents.
http://www.myvalleynews.com/story/48467/
Bookmarks