2006-02-11

Man indicted on murder charge

A Potter County grand jury handed up a murder indictment against an Amarillo man Thursday, according to court records.

Grand jurors indicted Octavio Eymar Bautista, 24, on one count of murder in connection with the Aug. 7 bludgeoning death of 35-year-old Juan David Sanchez.

According to police reports, Sanchez went to the 700 block of North Wilson Street about 11:30 p.m. Aug. 7 and reportedly began attacking a group of people with a claw hammer. The group fought back to subdue him, reports show. At that time, authorities charge that one group member wrested the hammer from Sanchez, striking him in the head. The blow killed Sanchez.

Police arrested Bautista and he wa later charged with murder Authorities at the time said the murder charge resulted from the fact that Snchez wasn't a threat whe he was hit with the hammer. Murder is a first-degre felony, according to the Texs Penal Code. If convicted Bautista faces up to 99 yeas in prison.