Thread: NE - Missing Witness Means Charges Dropped

Douglas County Attorney Says Vital Witness Can't Be Found

KETV
Jan. 25, 2011

OMAHA, Neb. -- A missing witness means charges have been dropped against two of the three men linked to the disappearance of a family in Omaha.

Elias Lourenco-Batista and Valdeir Goncalves-Santos were both accused of misusing the family's credit cards. They were scheduled to go to trial Wednesday. But the Douglas County Attorney says a vital witness in the case cannot be found.

The two remain in custody on a federal immigration hold.

A third-man is still charged with using credit cards belonging to Vanderlei Szczepanik. He, along with his wife and son, disappeared from their Omaha home in Dec. 2009.

http://www.ketv.com/r/26614944/detail.html

Charges Dropped In Missing Family Case
Charges have been dropped against two of the three men accused in the disappearance of an Omaha family.
Reporter: WOWT



Elias Lourenco-Batista, Valdeir Goncalves-Santos, and Jose Oliveria-Coutinho were supposed to go to trial Wednesday in Judge Lamberty’s court for using the Szczepanik’s credit cards, after the family went missing.

The Douglas County attorney’s office has confirmed that charges have been dismissed against Lourenco-Batista and Goncalves-Santos.

The two have not been let out of jail because there is an immigration hold on them.

The third man in custody, Jose Oliveira-Coutinho, has waived his right to a speedy trial, but no date has been set.

Vanderlei, Jacqueline, and their son, Christopher, have been missing for more than a year. They originally came to Omaha from Florida as part of their Church's mission.

http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/Char ... ml?ref=259

Related

http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-200619-szczepanik.html