WINTER GARDEN, Fla.,None — Miguel Diaz Santiz was set to stand trial Monday for kidnapping and terrorizing a Winter Garden family in November 2009.
And his attorney hopes it will save Santiz from a life sentence.
“That's what we're going to argue for is that should make a difference, among other things. We have some other things to offer as well,” said defense attorney Fran Iennaco.
Santiz pleaded no contest to nine of 11 counts against him. His cousin, Victor Sanchez, was convicted of the crime last week.
Santiz still faces up to life in prison. At a minimum, the 27-year-old illegal immigrant will spend 28 years in prison.
With the help of a translator, the judge went through each of the nine charges with Santiz, and asked if he was pleading guilty freely. He answered yes.
Santiz told the judge that he only has a 6th grade education.
He is one of three men charged in the three-day kidnapping and robbery of a Winter Garden businessman and his family.
It started with a bullet through their door on a Sunday morning and ended the following Tuesday after the businessman's pregnant wife jumped from a second-floor window and ran for help, getting shot twice in the process.
Santiz's lawyer said he pleaded because it was the right thing to do.
Santiz will be sentenced April 3, along with Sanchez.
A third man, Oscar Diaz-Hernandez, is scheduled for trial next month, and the woman police said was the mastermind is still on the run.
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