Sheriff says crime scene beyond 'heinous'

© 2010 The Associated Press
Feb. 28, 2010, 3:07PM

WHITESTOWN, Ind. — Investigators believe a teenager used a 20-inch blade to fatally stab his twin brother and stepmother as they slept, while defensive wounds in his father's body suggest he tried to resist the deadly attack, a newspaper reported Sunday.

"'Heinous' doesn't even begin to describe this. This was one of the worst scenes I've seen," 31-year law-enforcement veteran Boone County Sheriff Ken Campbell told The Indianapolis Star.

The suspect, 19-year-old Barney Jose Chamorro, was taken into custody at a rest stop near Midland, Texas, on Saturday morning, police said. An arrest warrant charges him with three counts of murder.

Police found the bodies of Judy Schindler, Alejandro Chamorro Sr. and Alejandro Chamorro Jr., the suspect's fraternal twin, on Friday in the family's home in Whitestown, a small town about 20 miles northwest of Indianapolis. Investigators believe the killings occurred a day earlier.

Whitestown Police Chief Dennis Anderson told The Star that Schindler and the younger Martinez were stabbed in their bedrooms as they slept. Investigators believe Schindler staggered to a front room, where her body was found near that of the elder Martinez, who had suffered defensive wounds.

Investigators said they found a 20-inch knife at the scene and blood spattered throughout the home.

After Schindler didn't show up to work at a Whitestown convenience story Thursday or answer her phone Friday, a co-worker went to the family's home, noticed a truck was missing and alerted police.

Anderson said the elder Martinez was a native of Nicaragua.

Sheriff Campbell said a team of investigators made plans Saturday to travel to Texas to work with law enforcement there.

"I am sure we'll be going through the extradition process in Texas as soon as we possibly and legally can," he said.

The Associated Press left a message Sunday seeking comment from a sheriff's department spokesman. A voice mailbox for Anderson was full.

Police located Chamarro after he used a credit card Friday in Mount Vernon, Texas. He remained Sunday at the Ward County Jail in Monahans, Texas.