The sentencing phase of the Busken murder trial began Thursday with emotional testimony. Jewell "Juli" Busken's parents and Anthony Castillo Sanchez's family members all took the stand.
Wednesday evening, a jury found Sanchez guilty of first-degree murder, rape and forcible sodomy. The jury recommended a 40-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine for the rape conviction, and a 20-year sentence and a $10,000 fine for the sodomy conviction. Jurors will decide Friday if Sanchez will receive the death penalty for the 1996 murder of Busken.
Wilber "Bud" Busken said Juli's proudest achievement was to be able to attend OU and dance. He said his daughter was at her best when she was dancing.
Bud Busken said Juli would dance for him on the greens of the golf course he co-owns in Benton, Ark., as they worked together to maintain them.
Mary Jean Busken said she and Bud saw Juli in person the last time when they came to see her dance in an OU ballet performance of Swan Lake. Since Juli's death, they have always hoped for the day when they would find Juli's killer.
"We go to bed thinking about her every night and wake up thinking about her every morning," Mary Jean Busken.
After the verdict was read on Wednesday, Sanchez stood up, pointed to the Buskens and shouted, "Mr. and Mrs. Busken, I didn't kill your daughter. I swear to God, I didn't kill your daughter."
As proceedings began Thursday, District Judge Bill Hetherington warned Sanchez that his behavior after the verdict was inexcusable.
"In the event that these proceedings can not be conducted in an orderly fashion, I have every right to remove you from the courtroom," Hetherington said.
Moments later, Sanchez stood up again and addressed the Buskens.
"I apologize if I offended you. What I said was from the bottom of my heart," Sanchez said. "I apologize to the court, but I don't apologize for my actions."
Later, Karli Privett testified that Sanchez raped her in 2001, tying her hands behind her back with shoelaces. Privett said she lived with Sanchez in 2001, but that Sanchez had snuck into her home after they broke up and waited for her to arrive.
The rape charge was dropped as part of a plea negotiation. Sanchez went to prison on burglary charges, according to court records.
Defense Attorney Silas Lyman said the defense would call witnesses who could testify about the quality of Sanchez's life.
"He has a life beyond this trial and conviction," Lyman said.
Sanchez's stepmother, Cathy Hodge, said that although they were not blood-related, Sanchez was the only son she ever had.
Hodge said she was married to Glen Sanchez for 15 years. She said that during their marriage, Glen Sanchezwas an alcoholic who became abusive when he was drunk and threatened her with a firearm on more than one occasion.
"He wasn't a very good role model, but Anthony was his life," Hodge said.
She described an incident when she was being beaten by Glen Sanchezand Anthony Sanchez called out and distracted his father long enough for her to escape from the home.
Hodge said Anthony Sanchez's mother was a drug addict who had been in prison and rarely appeared in his life.
While Hodge testified, Anthony Sanchez placed his head in his folded arms on the table. When he looked up, he was crying.
Karen Girdner said she taught Anthony Sanchez during his sophomore year at Central Mid-High School in Norman.
"You have students who just stick with you," Girdner said. "I've had over 3,000 students, but Anthony was always special to me."
While jurors were out of the courtroom, Hetherington asked Anthony Sanchez if he would like to testify on his own behalf in the penalty phase, emphasizing that it was his decision.
Anthony Sanchez said he felt it was futile, because the case had already been decided.hello there & you too
