Hernandez found guilty of murder

In a special called session of Superior Criminal court, a jury unanimously convicted Enrique Hernandez (Soto) Feb. 12 with first-degree murder in the July 2006 stabbing death of 18-year-old Amy Devon Reese while the two were visiting her mother in Sparta.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. An appeal has been filed in the matter.

The case, which was argued Feb. 9 through Feb. 12, was presided over by Judge Richard Doughton. J. Clark Fischer of Winston-Salem represented the defendant, while Assistant District Attorney John Sherrill prosecuted.

Hernandez, also known as "Rick Soto," came to the area with Reese from Cleveland, Ohio via bus to Wytheville, Va. in July 2006 and the two were residing at her mother's home on Grand Ridge Road in Sparta at the time of the incident.

Hernandez is also facing escape charges for an incident in June 2007 when he and inmate Jeremy Lee Ebersole overpowered an Alleghany jailer and took his keys. The latter issue will be discussed at a later time.

As news of a reached verdict was announced Feb. 12, friends and family of Amy Reese gathered in the front area of the courtroom seating behind the prosecutor. An excited "Yes!" could be heard as well as crying on the part of the family and friends when the verdict was announced.

Afterward, Maria Popow, an Ohio friend of Reese's who testified during the trial said, "It was definitely worth the drive. She got the justice she deserved."

Sister Candace Reese recounted comments made in her presence by the defendant and turned them to say, "He disrespected my sister, he used my sister and now he's going to pay. Justice was served."

The mother of Reese, Norma Musick, said on behalf of herself and family, "We'd like to thank everyone for their support."

Witnesses

The state had 12 witnesses take the stand over the course of the trial. Among those testifying were Reese's mother Norma Musick, friend Maria Popow and sister Candace Reese.

Officials who offered testimony for the state included individuals with the Wythe County Sheriff's Office in Virginia and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

The first to take the stand was Norma Musick, the mother of the victim.

Amy had been raised by her maternal grandfather and had not seen her mother for five or six years, but maintained a "pretty regular" contact, according to Musick. She testified she learned that her daughter was dating Hernandez, but Reese had expressed no concerns or problems to her prior to the 2006 visit.

A letter, written by the deceased the day before her passing, was brought into evidence. The letter indicated that Reese wanted to end the relationship she had with the then 42-year-old.

"Around midnight, he found the letter," remembered Musick. "He brought it to our bedroom and they (Hernandez and Reese) got into an argument over it."

When Sherrill asked Musick to describe Hernandez's reaction, she replied, "He was angry…he was yelling and screaming and she yelled back at him telling him to leave, telling (him) he was doing nothing but lying and causing problems."

When asked about how the problem was resolved, Musick stated Ms. Reese stayed in her mom and stepdad's bedroom for about three hours talking to Mr. Musick and sending e-mails to her friends. In the meantime, Ms. Musick went to the family's living room with son Randy, daughter Candace and Hernandez. Over the course of her conversation with Hernandez, he told her that Amy was going to kill her.

"I didn't know what to think about that," remarked Musick. He took Randy into another room to talk to him in private." Around 5 a.m., Mr. Musick was asked to help a family member who had just had a wreck and Hernandez was encouraged to go with him, Mrs. Musick testified.

About 5:30 a.m., July 15, 2006, Musick said, "I told Amy good night and that I loved her and that was the last time I saw her." She said Amy then went downstairs.

After waking later that morning, Musick said she saw daughter Candace who told her she saw Hernandez leave earlier that morning with two bags in his hands. She proceeded to go downstairs to check on Amy.

Musick testified, "As I turned to the left of me, I saw what I knew in my mind was puddles of blood. There was a blanket…" Struggling to continue, she testified, "There was…I knew there was a body under it. I ran; it scared me. I ran to my daughter (Candace). I couldn't even talk to her."

Sherrill asked if 9-1-1 was called, to which Musick stated Candace told her that she called, but Musick did not remember making the call.

 

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