YAKIMA, Wash. – Ismael Sanchez Morales appeared in court for his arraignment, facing six charges, including three felonies, after a police pursuit on August 9 involving his brother, murder suspect Roberto Leyva Sanchez.
The pursuit ended in a shootout, resulting in the suspect’s death. Sanchez Morales appeared before Judge Elisabeth Tutsch at the Yakima County Department of Corrections and pled not guilty to all charges.
He is currently charged with harming a police dog, second-degree assault, attempting to elude, obstructing law enforcement, resisting arrest, and DUI. Previously, during a preliminary hearing on August 11, bail was set at $500,000.
During the arraignment, Sanchez Morales’s attorney argued against the high bail.
“I don’t see how $500,000 is appropriate,” Sanchez Morales’s attorney said. There’s no fear of him interfering with the administration of justice with respect to his brother’s case is deceased.”
The attorney requested a reduction in bail to $50,000, arguing a lack of evidence for the high amount. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Samuel Chen highlighted Sanchez Morales’s criminal history, including a conviction at 17 for first-degree assault and two counts of witness tampering.
“[He has] a conviction for two counts of intimidating a witness. That tells me that he is a person that is, in fact, in a danger to administration of justice,” Chen stated.
Judge Tutsch expressed concerns about community safety and denied the request to lower bail.
“I do have grave concerns about community safety. I understand that the case is going to get worked out. There are certainly defenses to be raised by the defense, but that doesn’t necessarily happen at a bail hearing. I’m looking at the information I have in front of me right now, and my concerns for community safety are very serious. For that reason I am denying the request to change bail, leaving it at the 500,000 originally set and we can move forward,” she said.
The defense’s request for Sanchez Morales to be released for his brother’s funeral on Wednesday was also denied by the judge. An omnibus hearing is scheduled for October 2, with the trial expected to start on October 20.
