http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/victorville-7755-barstow-woman.html

Soldiers to stand trial for killing of Barstow woman

January 25, 2010 3:33 PM

By DAVID HELDRETH, staff writer

VICTORVILLE • A pair of soldiers accused of killing a 29-year-old Barstow woman during an apparent robbery in September will stand trial for murder.

Judge Eric Nakata found Monday that the prosecution provided enough evidence to continue with a jury trial for Melvin Satcher, 23, of Barstow and Phillip Franke, 22, of Las Vegas. Satcher and Franke are being charged with murder for the shooting death of Sandi Lee Duncan, an ex soldier.

Duncan’s body was found in the open desert southeast of the intersection of Dale Evans Parkway and Stoddard Wells Road in Apple Valley on Sept. 21. Deputy District Attorney Jill Gregory said that although Franke and Phillip have only been charged with murder, additional charges can be filed before their arraignment on February 3. The pair face 25 years to life if they are convicted of first degree murder.

Gregory called Det. Neal Rodriguez early in the preliminary hearing Monday. Rodriguez testified that Satcher told him that he was friends with Duncan, and he had last seen her on the morning of Sept. 21.

Det. Scott Landen testified that after Franke was in custody he admitted that he drove Duncan to the location where her body was found and witnessed her murder. Franke said that Satcher, Duncan and two unidentified friends of Satcher’s were driving to Los Angeles when they pulled off of Interstate 15 at Dale Evans Parkway to use the bathroom, Landen testified. Franke then took a dirt road into desert area and one of the unidentified men, who was sitting behind Duncan, began to choke her with a piece of fabric. Franke claimed he got out of the car and walked around, but got back into the car after Satcher pulled Duncan out of the front passenger seat.

Landen said that Franke told him that he saw Satcher stand over Duncan and shoot her twice.

Franke told Landen that Duncan had $400 on her. Franke received $40 for gas and the group split the remaining money, according to Landen.

Satchel’s defense attorney, Ron Powell, questioned Landen about the other possible suspects and whether Duncan could have died from strangulation. Landen said that although Duncan’s body did show signs of strangulation, the coroner said she was still alive when she was shot. Landen also said he couldn’t prove or disprove that there were other people involved in the killing.

Rodriguez testified that the tread from tires on Franke’s car appeared to match tire tracks found near Duncan’s body.

Duncan had been stationed at Fort Irwin, but was medically discharged in December of 2006 after being injured on duty, Fort Irwin spokesman John Wagstaffe said in October.

Satcher was a member of the 11th Armored Calvary Regiment at Fort Irwin and was court-martialed from the Army in September of 2008 for criminal activity, according to Wagstaffe. Wagstaffe said that Satcher then served a prison sentence at the Naval Consolidated Brig Miramar, near San Diego, for being absent without leave, escaping from confinement and use of marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamines. He was released from Miramar on June 15 and returned to Barstow.

Franke was stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii before being court-martialed for possession, distribution and use of marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines and Ecstasy in December of 2008, according to Wagstaffe. Franke also served his prison sentence at the Naval Consolidated Brig Miramar and was released on June 29 and returned to Las Vegas.

Wagstaffe said that Franke and Satcher were still technically in the military because they couldn’t be discharged until their prison terms were served. They were being processed for dishonorable discharges when they were arrested for Duncan’s killing. Fort Irwin spokesman Etric Smith said he couldn’t confirm Monday afternoon whether or not Franke and Satcher had officially been discharged.

Satcher and Franke are currently being held at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga on $1 million bail.

Contact the writer:

(760) 256-4126 or dheldreth@desertdispatch.com