Dorene is the sister of Louie Sanchez, one of two suspects in the beating of the San Francisco Giants fan in the Dodger Stadium parking lot on March 31, the night of the Dodgers' home opener.
Dorene Sanchez drove herself and the two suspects away from the stadium that night. She told police and a grand jury that she did not witness the alleged beating of Stow, according to a source.
"The District Attorney's office reached the proper conclusion today of not filing charges against Dorene Sanchez, since she has not committed any crime. It's been a nerve-racking process for Ms. Sanchez, but she's relieved that the DA was able to see the truth after careful review of the facts," her attorney, Dan Nardoni, said in a statement Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, Louie Sanchez, 29, and Marvin Norwood, 30, pleaded not guilty during an arraignment hearing. They remain held in lieu of $500,000 bail each, pending another hearing on Sept. 30. Defense attorney Gilbert Quinones, who represents Louie Sanchez, withdrew a scheduled bail-reduction motion for his client.
Norwood and Louie Sanchez were charged with one count each of mayhem, assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury and battery with serious bodily injury, all of which are felonies. Police have portrayed Sanchez as leading the assault on March 31 after he and Norwood allegedly lashed out at Giants fans.
Stow, a 42-year-old Santa Cruz paramedic and father of two, suffered severe brain injuries and remains in serious condition at San Francisco General Hospital.
Prosecutors feel strongly that they have a case against the two suspects, even though it was revealed Wednesday that out of 20 witnesses, only one of them could positively identify Louie Sanchez in a lineup and no one could identify Norwood.
Quinones said he only learned about the lineup results on Wednesday, but he wouldn't say whether he thinks this might be another case of mistaken identity.
But Deputy District Attorney Frank Santoro said in court that the case was not based on witness identifications but on admissions by both men, claiming both defendants have made incriminating statements while in lockup and in police interviews.
Prosecutors said Louie Sanchez's sister, Dorene, who was arrested as an accessory but not charged, testified before a grand jury, but the indictment remains sealed so it's unclear if her testimony incriminates her brother or Norwood.
In their second court appearance, Louie Sanchez and Norwood remained handcuffed and were kept separated. They did not look at each other and spoke only through their lawyers.
Louie Sanchez faces a maximum of nine years in prison if convicted, while Norwood would face up to eight years behind bars, according to prosecutors.
Meantime, Los Angeles-based Philadelphia fans held a fundraiser for Stow Tuesday night in Santa Monica.
The group advocates against senseless acts of violence at sporting events, and it hopes to create a more civil fan and family experience at ballparks everywhere.
Three of Stow's family members attended the event. When they left for Southern California, one of his sisters asked him for a kiss goodbye.
"I haven't kissed my brother that much on the lips in 32 years, but I was so excited for it," said Bonnie Stow.
The family members said their spirits have soared with his continuing signs of progress.
"He literally turned his head, and he puckered up and gave her a kiss goodbye," said Stow's mother, Ann. "So for us to come down here in this celebration, it's a totally different atmosphere for us now."
