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Man accepts plea deal in stabbings

The younger of two Pasco County brothers escapes an attempted murder charge and further jail time in an attack on three Hernando County brothers.

By DUANE BOURNE
Published May 27, 2005

BROOKSVILLE - One of two brothers charged in the stabbing of two men in February pleaded no contest to a charge of felony battery Thursday and escaped further jail time.

Julio Anazco, 18, of New Port Richey had been charged along with his 19-year-old brother, Jose, with attempted murder in the drug-related stabbings of two Hernando County brothers, ages 20 and 22. They were also accused of striking a third brother with a car.

Wearing a red jumpsuit, Julio Anazco rescinded his not guilty plea, accepting the lesser charge and receiving three years of probation on Thursday.

In entering his plea, Anazco waived his Miranda rights and admitted to his role in the fracas, Assistant State Attorney Donald Barbee Jr. said.

Because he entered a plea, Anazco, a Peruvian national in the United States on a visa, could face deportation, court-appointed attorney Devon Sharkey said during the hearing.

Anazco has applied for U.S citizenship, a process which could be affected if he is a felon. As part of the plea deal, Circuit Judge Jack Springstead withheld adjudication on the third-degree felony.

On Feb. 7, Anazco and his brother were charged with attempted murder after they were accused of driving to Hernando County with the intent of fighting. The incident occurred at Wildwood Drive and Dan Lynn Street, outside Brooksville. Springstead had denied bail to both men.

During a pretrial hearing in March, Barbee said the stabbing was a premeditated attempt to settle a dispute over another group selling marijuana on their turf. At that hearing, the Anazco family crowded into Springstead's courtroom. They also presented letters from the youths' Ridgewood high school soccer coaches, attesting to their character. Julio Anazco's wife is expecting a child in July.

Although the case has gang-related overtones, prosecutors decided to downgrade the charges against Anazco to two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, suggesting his brother, Julio, wielded the blunt object that sent two of the brothers to the hospital.

Anazco faced up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. But as part of the agreement, the State Attorney's Office dropped the second count of aggravated battery. Anazco will pay an unspecified amount in restitution to the victim for medical expenses and was prohibited from having contact with him or his brothers.

Jose Anazco is scheduled to appear in court for a pretrial hearing on June 10, court records show.

Duane Bourne can be reached at 352 754-6114 or dbourne@sptimes.com

[Last modified May 27, 2005, 00:40:18]