Murder suspect identified strangled, dumped near Nicolaus
By Lois Gormley Appeal-Democrat
Nine months after the body of 12-year-old Courtney Hanna Sconce was found along the Feather River near Nicolaus, her accused killer sits in a New Mexico jail, awaiting extradition back to California.
A murder warrant was issued Thursday for the arrest of an El Dorado County man suspected in the November abduction and slaying of the Rancho Cordova girl, law enforcement officers announced in a press conference in Sacramento.
Sutter County Sheriff Jim Denney said it was shortly after 2 p.m. that the Department of Justice confirmed a match between the DNA sample obtained from Justin Michael Weinberger, 20, and a sample taken into evidence early in the investigation.
Close to 100 DNA samples were taken from possible suspects since November.
Weinberger is currently being held in Raton, N.M., where he was arrested on vandalism charges earlier in the week.
Sconce disappeared from her Rancho Cordova neighborhood sometime after 3 p.m. Nov. 8.
Her body was found about two hours later on the banks of the Feather River near Nicolaus in Sutter County. She had been sexually assaulted and strangled.
Following the discovery of her body, the Sutter County Sheriff's Deparmtne, Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice formed a joint task force to investigate the murder.
During the 3:30 p.m. press conference Thursday at the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, authorities outlined the trail that led them to Weinberger.
Sacramento County Sheriff's Sgt. James Lewis said investigators tracking the origin of a blue Adidas sun visor - believed to be associated with Sconce's killer - came up with a list of more than 20 people who had obtained similar hats.
Weinberger, who had purchased such a hat in October, was on that list, Lewis said.
Additionally, Weinberger had access to a black BMW 325es - which witnesses had reported seeing leaving the area on the Feather River shortly before Sconce's body was found - and owned a pair of sunglasses similar to those found at the scene, Lewis said.
He said Weinberger was also known to have been at a Rancho Cordova business, purchasing a gun, on the same day as Sconce's disappearance.
Sacramento County Sheriff Lou Blanas said there is no indication at this time that Weinberger knew Sconce, but investigators are still looking into that possibility.
The former delivery driver, who worked at several locations in the Rancho Cordova area, was also under investigation by the FBI and El Dorado County law enforcement for child pornography. He was indicted in federal court Thursday on suspicion of advertising, transporting and possessing sexually explicit images of minors, Lewis said.
The FBI would not comment on any specifics involving that case.
Denney said Weinberger is not a registered sex offender and does not have a prior criminal record.
He said the case will be tried in Sacramento as a result of an agreement between Sutter County District Attorney Carl Adams and Sacramento County D.A. Jan Scully.
Denney said he hopes federal prosecutors will allow the murder case to be tried first in order to bring closure to this matter.
He said it is a relief for all involved in the investigation to finally have the case come to a conclusion, but said it could not have been done without the team effort and additional resources and personnel the task force provided.
Denney commended Capt. Dearl Skinner, Detectives Terry Short and Greg Zembiec and the now retired Detective Sgt. Dan Salamone, all from his department, who logged many hours in Sacramento while attempting to find Sconce's killer.
He said they were all eager to bring things to a close. Many of them have or have had children Sconce's age and took a personal interest in the case, he said.
"I am looking forward to the prosecution of this case," Denney said.
Sconce's mother, Cindy Sconce, struggled with tears as she spoke briefly during the press conference.
"I am so relieved he is off the streets and this won't happen to anyone else's little girl," she said.
Mark Sconce stood rigidly at the podium and expressed his anger toward his daughter's alleged killer.
"I am very angry at this moment and I will be for some time," he said. "I too am looking forward to the prosecution of this case and hope the heaviest hammer of justice falls on (Weinberger)."
Lois Gormley reports on law enforcement and criminal justice issues. If you have a story idea, call Lois at 741-2400, ext. 405 or e-mail lois_gormley@link.freedom.com.
