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Posted 24 Feb 2001   For week ended January 12, 2001
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News about Mormons, Mormonism,
and the LDS Church
Sent on Mormon-News: 10Jan01

By Kent Larsen

Five Charged in Gruesome Murder of LDS Man

ANTIOCH, CALIFORNIA -- Five suspects have been charged with various crimes in the January 2nd murder of Antony Frank Buccellato, an LDS Church member and BYU graduate, in what police have called a crime of opportunity. Buccellato was robbed and beaten, rolled in a carpet and dumped on California's highway 4, where his body was hit by several cars.

The suspects in the crime claim that they beat and robbed Buccellato after a 16-year-old girl, Anita Sabedra, told them he had propositioned her. The girl lured Buccellato to a nearby apartment, where two other suspects, Antonio C. "Tone" Gans, 28, and Larry Christopher Graham, 22, beat Buccellato with a flashlight and bolt cutters. Deputy District Attorney Harold Jewitt said that Buccellato tried hard to defend himself, leading to a lot of mess in the apartment, "He fought them -- he was a Golden Gloves boxer in college. He gave them a run for their money," said Jewitt.

After Buccellato was subdued, Sabedra and another suspect, 34-year-old Carrie O'Brien, helped Gans and Graham roll the still-alive Buccellato in a carpet and into his own truck. Gans claims he was trying to take Buccellato to the hospital, but that Buccellato disappeared from the bed of the truck, where Graham was riding next to him.

Police say they may never know exactly where Buccellato was when he died -- in the apartment, the truck on on the highway. An autopsy report shows that Buccellato died from a blunt force to the head. After his body had hit the highway, it was run over by several cars, who didn't see the body in the misty night. Police got calls from several drivers who hit something in the dark, and discovered blood and gore on their cars when they stopped.

Buccellato's family held a funeral for him at the LDS Church's Antioch Third Ward on Monday, where they remembered him as an untiring worker who inspired them to maintain physical fitness and spend time with their children. Buccellato was divorced from his wife, Marcia, who he met at BYU. They divorced in 1995 and Buccellato went to live with his ailing and aging parents in Antioch.

Family members are distraught at his murder, calling for the death penalty for those involved. "It was a terrible tragedy and they treated him like a dog," said an uncle, Vincent J. Buccellato last Friday.

Sources:

Suspects say beating was punishment
Walnut Creek CA Contra Costa Times 9Jan01 D2
By Celeste Ward: Times Staff Writer

Around the bay area: Antioch: Fifth suspect arrested in Highway 4 killing
Walnut Creek CA Contra Costa Times 7Jan01 D2

Obituaries: Anthony Frank Buccellato
Walnut Creek CA Contra Costa Times 6Jan01 D2

Police seek 5th suspect in killing
Walnut Creek CA Contra Costa Times 6Jan01 D2
By Claire Booth: Times Staff Writer

Police piece together Buccellato's death
Walnut Creek CA Contra Costa Times 5Jan01 D2
By Celeste Ward: Times Staff Writer

Four suspects arraigned in Highway 4 murder
Walnut Creek CA Contra Costa Times 5Jan01 D2

Suspects: Man tossed from truck alive
Walnut Creek CA Contra Costa Times 5Jan01 D2
By Celeste Ward: Times Staff Writer

Four suspected in Buccellato homicide
Walnut Creek CA Contra Costa Times 4Jan01 D2
By Celeste Ward: Times Staff Writer

Police investigate homicide; traffic stops 12 hours
Walnut Creek CA Contra Costa Times 3Jan01 D2
By Celeste Ward: Times Staff Writer

Antioch police make three arrests in Highway 4 homicide
Walnut Creek CA Contra Costa Times 3Jan01 D2


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