Potential trial date in Longview double homicide to be set in June

A potential trial date in the suspected Longview double homicide by Andres Carrasco Sanchez has been delayed until June.

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Both parties agreed on Tuesday to schedule a hearing in Cowlitz County Superior Court for June 2 to set a trial date.

Ian Maher of the Cowlitz County Office of Public Defense represents Sanchez in the fatal shooting of two people in April at a quinceanera at a rented hall off 15th Avenue.

Cowlitz County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Alysa Draper-Dehart stood in for Cowlitz County prosecutor Eric Bentson on Tuesday.

The hearing was originally scheduled to set a trial date for Sanchez, 49, of Kelso, who is facing charges including two counts of first-degree aggravated murder with a firearm enhancement, as well as one count each of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.

Draper-Dehart said several police officers who could be called to testify would be unavailable on previous potential trial dates. According to the charging document, at least 17 of the 25 state witnesses are police officers, mostly from the Longview Police Department.

Cowlitz County Prosecuting Attorney Ryan Jurvakainen told The Daily News in an email that "for every case we must coordinate trial dates around witness officers' unavailability," which could include vacation, training, paternity leave and more.

Sanchez pleaded not guilty last month.

If convicted of first-degree aggravated murder, he could serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

He's being held in Cowlitz County Jail without bail.

The shooting took place on April 11 outside of Longview's AWPPW Hall, located at 724 15th Ave.

One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other was pronounced dead after arriving at Longview's PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center, court records show.

Sanchez allegedly left the event and drove nearly 20 minutes to Rose Valley to retrieve a gun before the shooting.

During a police chase, law enforcement report Sanchez tossed a 9mm pistol from the vehicle.

He also told police he shot the victims because he suspected they were flirting with his girlfriend, court records show.

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