Digest

Jury convicts man of sex crime against a child

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 18, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY

Manfred Van Sanders had to be extradited from Germany two years ago to face accusations that he sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl a decade ago. He didn't face a jury of his peers until this week. After a two-day trial, jurors found him guilty of capital sexual battery Wednesday. The girl, now 20, said she awoke to find Sanders fondling her and videotaping her, according to the state. Family members testified that Sanders could not have been in the same home as the girl, according to the defense.The girl, whose identity is being withheld by the Times because of the nature of the crime, didn't come forward until 2002. A judge sentenced Sanders, now 43, to life in prison.

Partin murder trial rescheduled

The Phillup Alan Partin murder trial was rescheduled again, this time for March 10. The previous date of Jan. 7 had to be scrapped due to a schedule conflict for defense attorney Bjorn Brunvand. Circuit Judge William Webb declared a mistrial Oct. 11 when it was revealed neither side was aware that a stain found near the crime scene had been forensically tested. Partin, 42, faces the death penalty if convicted killing 16-year-old Joshan Ashbrook in 2002.

[Last modified October 17, 2007, 21:13:24]