FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Nearly 20 years after the tragic murder of the Escobedo family, St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro and State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl are reopening the case in efforts to pursue justice.
In 2006, Yessica and Luis Escobedo, and their two young sons, Luis Julian, 4, and Luis Damian, 3, were killed on the side of the Florida Turnpike in Fort Pierce. Officials say the two boys died in their mother's arms.
WATCH: WPTV asks if retrying case violates double jeopardy
In December, President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of Ricardo Sanchez and Daniel Troya, the two convicted killers, removing them from federal death row. This controversial decision has sparked renewed efforts to reopen the case.
Now, Bakkedahl's office is moving forward by seeking the death penalty for the two killers under Florida law.
During a Tuesday morning news conference, Bakkedahl recalled when he arrived at the scene of the horrific incident.
"I can tell you, as I stand here now, almost 20 years later, I remember like yesterday arriving on scene," Bakkedahl said. "And I remember seeing what I could only describe as having occurred, an act of extreme evil. What I observed on the side of the road is unspeakable and inhumane."
These murders sparked the largest criminal investigation in Treasure Coast history.
After months of trials, the federal jury in Florida unanimously recommended the death penalty for Sanchez and Troya. It was the first time in decades that a Florida federal jury voted unanimously on the death sentence.
Bakkedahl talked thoroughly of the due process of this case and how, after the death sentence, the defendants appealed all the way to the Supreme Court, which ultimately upheld the death penalty.
WATCH: Del Toro and Bakkedahl hold a press conference to formally address the reopening of the case
Bakkedahl passionately expressed his disagreement with Biden's decision to grant Sanchez and Troya clemency for the death penalty, saying it goes against the purpose of due process.
"We're at a crossroads in this country. There's a crisis in the confidence of the criminal justice system," Bakkedahl said. "Politics has no place in this process. This is about merely following the law and the application of the law. At present, the people of the United States of America and the state of Florida believe that the death penalty is a just and proper function."
The morning that Biden signed the clemency order, Dec. 23, 2024, Bakkedahl said he called Del Toro, newly elected as sheriff at the time, and asked for his help in pursuing justice by getting Sanchez and Troya back on the death penalty.
Del Toro, who was working for the Port St. Lucie Police Department at the time of the quadruple homicide, agreed immediately.
"Several cases leave lasting scars on you throughout your career, and this was a different type of case," Del Toro said.
Bakkedahl said that, as State Attorney for the seventh smallest circuit in Florida, he is significantly down on staffing and needs all the help he can get from Del Toro's office, which is made up of over 800 personnel.
"We're going to have to locate evidence far and wide. This is a massive undertaking that we're engaged in," Bakkedahl said. "I don't have the resources to do it. I could not do it without your sheriff."
Three prosecutors from the State Attorney's Office will be leading the case as it reopens.
"I've assigned three of my most experienced prosecutors," Bakkedahl said. "Between the four of us, we have over 102 years of prosecutorial experience, we've tried over 570 cases, and we've handled over 23 death penalty cases. We're up to the task, and we're going to do it."
Del Toro said he appointed Deputy Chief Michael Swanchak and Captain of Criminal Investigation Division Steve Sessoms to oversee the case.
"I completely disagree with the president's decision to commute this sentence, but I do respect the rule of law. He has a lot of power as a politician, but I have a lot of power as well, and so does our State Attorney, being elected officials," Del Toro said. "I never abuse that power, but I never forget that we have it, either."
The State Attorney, along with the St. Lucie County Sheriff, now needs to work on finding witnesses and gathering as much evidence as possible to provide sufficient evidence to warrant prosecution in this case. After that, they will seek a grand jury indictment.
"This is simply a pursuit of justice," Bakkedahl said. "This is not political, this is not personal, this is the right thing to do."
The double jeopardy question
Bakkedahl addressed concerns regarding potential violations of double jeopardy, since the case has already been prosecuted at the federal level.
"That would be the question. So, the fact that the federal government prosecuted them is not a question of double jeopardy. I have the right, the sheriff and I have the right on behalf of our citizens, to seek redress for the violation of the rights of this family," Bakkedahl explained.
Attorney John Anastasio supported Bakkedahl's stance, asserting that pursuing state charges is permissible.
“They can certainly go forward,” Anastasio stated. He emphasized the nature of first-degree murder charges, saying, “You can chase people forever on a first-degree murder charge."
Anastasio also noted that if Bakkedahl and Sheriff Del Toro are successful in their efforts, it could lead to significant outcomes for the defendants. If successful, Sanchez and Troya’s federal sentences would be thrown out.
Anastasio went on to mention the implications of this scenario: “Then there'll be an execution, and that will put the life imprisonment moot or of no effect."
Del Toro echoed the sentiments of pursuing justice, stating, "The right thing to do is take on this case, see what we can do to help bring justice to this family."
