Jose Luis Sanchez Arraigned for Murder of Luis Mendez in Lawrence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SALEM, Mass. – September 29, 2025 – Today Jose Luis Sanchez, 27, of the Dominican Republic, was arraigned in Essex County Superior Court and charged with the murder of Luis Mendez of Lawrence, who was 38 at the time of his death, the Office of Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker states. The charges stem from the fatal shooting of Mendez during a house party in the basement of 210 Market Street in Lawrence on the night of April 25, 2022. Appearing before the Hon. Thomas Drechsler today, Sanchez pled not guilty and was ordered held without bail.

Assistant District Attorney Kelleen Forlizzi represented the Commonwealth at the arraignment. Jocelyn Pichardo is serving as victim/witness advocate. The defendant was represented by attorneys Robin Gagne and Debra DeWitt.

The Lawrence Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to Tucker’s office investigated the case. The United States Department of Justice coordinated Sanchez’s return to the U.S. to face the murder charge, along with the United States Marshals Service, the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger, and the Lawrence Police Department.

All suspects and defendants and presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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