|
'Bike Path Killer' receives life in jail
One of the most notorious persons in Western New York will spend the rest of his life in jail after he was sentenced Tuesday in New York State Supreme Court to 75 years to life for killing three women during a reign of terror that included several rapes and lasted nearly three decades.
Altemio Sanchez, a 49-year-old Cheektowaga resident, received 25 years to life for each of the three slayings: Linda Yalem, 22, in 1990; Majane Mazur, 32, in 1994 and 45- year-old Joan Diver in September 2006.
The sentences are the maximum allowed by New York State law. He pleaded guilty to each of the murders earlier this year after initially denying responsibility.
"It is this court's intention that you never see freedom again," said New York State Supreme Court Justice Christopher J. Burns.
Sanchez appeared to live a double life. He was active in his church and coached youth baseball. His wife and two children knew nothing of his rapes and murders, said Andrew LoTempio, the attorney who represented Sanchez.
Following his January arrest, neighbors described Sanchez as a "quiet family man" who helped others following the freak October 12- 13, 2006 snowstorm. However, prosecutors offered a much different image.
Sanchez, said Prosecutor Frank Sedita III, used a coil of wire to suffocate his victims. He is believed to have raped at least 20 women since 1981.
Because many rapes are not reported, there could be many additional crimes that Sanchez may have committed. He was not charged for any of the rapes to which he has confessed because a five-year statue of limitations has expired on all of them.
"He is as calculating as he's violent," Sedita said. "These weren't spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment, reckless acts. The defendant methodically selected his locations, conducted reconnaissance and even practiced his very advanced, signature double-looped ligature technique so he could control his victims."
Sedita said that he has been involved in law enforcement "for a long time" and added there "aren't many people" like Sanchez.
Hours after he murdered Diver, Sanchez attended a party with his wife. A widely circulated picture from the party depicts a smiling Sanchez. Sedita used this scenario to paint Sanchez as a "cold-blooded" killer.
"Within hours of her murder, as her body lay in a field, as her husband hoped for the best but feared for the worst," Sedita said, "Mr. Sanchez was smiling at a party at a bar in downtown Buffalo."
As Sanchez's attorney, LoTempio said there was little that he could say, but he thanked the court for its professionalism, stating the case began as "somewhat of a circus" event.
"I can't disagree that, given the nature of the crimes, Mr. Sanchez should and will spend the rest of his life in prison," LoTempio said. "I can't stand up here with any degree of credibility to argue against that, nor would I. However, I still have to represent Mr. Sanchez's best interests."
Before announcing the sentence, Burns told Sanchez he has shown no remorse for his actions and the justice added he doesn't believe Sanchez has any conscience.
"Except that you were caught. Three women have been slain and their families have been hurt beyond repair," said Burns. "All they have now are loving memories and nightmares. None of them deserves this."
Sanchez, who appeared to cry at times during his final court appearance, spoke briefly before he was sentenced. He acknowledged his crimes and agreed that he must be punished severely.
"Whatever sentence I get today I deserve. I know I'm going to be spending life behind bars, never to see the streets again," said Sanchez. "I did these crimes, and I should pay for these crimes."
Sanchez then apologized to Diver's husband and the Yalem family.
"But I know I can never bring back your loved ones," Sanchez said. "I will pay for this for the rest of my life."
After Sanchez addressed the court, Burns levied his sentence.
"This sentence reflects your unspeakable cruelty in committing these horrible murders," Burns stated. "You showed no mercy and you deserve none."
The rapes and murders remained unsolved for many years, but an interview with Sanchez's uncle in early January set the wheels in motion.
Sanchez was arrested January 15 by Buffalo police as he left his job at Luvato Buffalo, the former American Brass plant on Military Road.
Police then swooped into Sanchez's home at 76 Allendale
Road, collecting evidence as many neighbors gazed out their doors and windows. | 
