Sarah Santiago indictments explained: How she can be charged in San Diego Islamic center attack when not present at crime scene
By Jay Motiwala
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WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina (WXII) — 17-year-old Sarah Santiago was arrested last week and indicted on three charges of first-degree-murder and one charge of conspiracy to commit first-degree-murder.
The FBI, Winston-Salem Police Department, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and Forsyth County District Attorney’s office revealed she helped plan and livestream an attack at an Islamic center in San Diego.
Alan Doorasamy , Santiago’s attorney, said in a statement that his client is “innocent of all these charges.”
The two shooters involved in the attack died by suicide after the incident. Defense attorney Russ Stone explained the unusual nature of the case, noting that Santiago is being charged with murder despite not being at the crime scene.
“It’s an unusual situation because the actual actors, the people who pulled the trigger, the people who actually committed the offense, were killed,” Stone said.
Stone further clarified the legal basis for the charges against Santiago.
“Under the law, if they can prove that she was assisting, she was helping them to commit this offense, then they can convict her of those offenses,” he said. “Now obviously they’re going to have to prove that in court.”
Although federal authorities assisted in apprehending Santiago, the case will be prosecuted by the state of North Carolina.
“State of North Carolina prosecutors have determined that they can prove this case,” Stone said. “That does make it somewhat unusual because usually, a case that crossed state lines, you’re going to see the feds get involved.”
Santiago, who is 17, will be tried as an adult.
“If she were 13, 14, 12, something of that nature, that would be highly unusual to pursue someone of that age as an adult, but a 17-year-old, for an offense as serious as this one, that is not a surprise,” Stone said.
Santiago is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 21.
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