Attorney General's News Release

April 15, 2011

Attorney General Koster announces conviction in St. Charles murder case

(Jefferson City, Mo.) – Attorney General Chris Koster said today a Marion County jury has found Manuel Cazares, 34, guilty of two counts of 2nd degree murder and one count of armed criminal action. The case was heard on a change of venue from St. Charles County. Cazares, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, lived in Hannibal at the time of the murders.

Koster said the jury handed down their guilty verdict after being presented with evidence that Cazares had entered the home of his ex-girlfriend, Amanda Thomas, and found her asleep in bed with Carl Epley. Cazares then murdered Thomas and Epley, stabbing them to death.

Judge Nancy Schneider has set Cazares’ sentencing for June 20. He faces 10 to 30 years or life in prison on each murder count and not less than 3 years in prison for armed criminal action.