BRONX WOMAN CONVICTED IN CONNECTION WITH A DEATH THAT OCCURRED DURING A “RITUAL CLEANSING”

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today the conviction of a 62 year old woman in the death of a 32 year old client who had gone to the defendant’s apartment for a “ritual cleansing.”

Mildred Sanchez, of 51 North Street, the Bronx pled guilty to one count of Criminally negligent homicide in the death of Minerva Perez on February 24, 2004. Perez was killed during a ritual which involved the use of a candle, highly flammable Florida Water, and an alcoholic beverage. Perez was naked and bathing in the flammable liquid when it ignited. The victim sustained 2nd and 3rd degree burns over most of her body. The Medical Examiner ruled that the cause of death was a combination of the critical burns and a subsequent asthma attack that was triggered by the traumatic incident.

State Supreme Court Justice Troy Webber set sentencing for April 14, 2005 in Part T40. The judge indicated that she would impose a sentence of five years probation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Nadia Chanza.