Man claims self-defense in first day of murder trial for 2021 Ashland stabbing

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man accused of stabbing another man to death in 2021 faced his first day of a jury trial Tuesday at the Boone County Courthouse.

The first day of Robin Morales-Sanchez's trial has concluded, and featured opening statements from both sides and testimonies from the owners of Jose Jalapenos, where both the accused and the victim, Moises Hernandez-Sanchez, were employed.

Robin Morales-Sanchez was charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action for allegedly stabbing Moises Hernandez-Sanchez nearly a dozen times in the torso and leaving him for dead at an Ashland home in 2021. He is being held at the Boone County Jail.

Both sides gave opening statements on Tuesday after the jury was selected on Monday. The trial could last until Friday.

In court, the prosecution argued that a fight started among workers at Jose Jalapenos following the Mexico vs. US soccer game on July 30, 2021, at the apartments where many of their workers live. Alchohol was allegedly involved.

The defense claimed that Morales-Sanchez acted in self-defense when Hernandez-Sanchez approached him at his home, forcing Morales-Sanchez to use deadly force.

Restaurant owners Jose and Megan Hernandez testified that they hired Morales-Sanchez upon a recommendation from another worker. Just four days later, the stabbing occurred.

Other employees who lived at the duplex where Hernandez-Sanchez was killed testified Tuesday, stating that Hernandez-Sanchez wasn't initially involved in the fight, but went to prevent it from escalating further.

According to past reports, during the investigation, Ashland officers obtained several search warrants, ultimately revealing the location of Robin Morales-Sanchez in Iola, Kansas.

In another case, Morales-Sanchez is charged with drug possession and misdemeanor fourth-degree assault. His next hearing in that case is 8:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19.

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