Actions

Man charged with first-degree murder in Denver stabbing death, robbery of 77-year-old landscaper

Posted at 4:29 PM, Jun 06, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-06 18:29:43-04

DENVER – The man arrested last week who is accused of stabbing a 77-year-old man he’d been working for and dumping his body before stealing his truck was formally charged Tuesday with first-degree murder and other felony charges.

Michael Sell, 48, faces one count of first-degree murder after deliberation, one count of felony murder, one count of aggravated robbery and one count of aggravated motor vehicle theft in the case.

According to an affidavit for Sell’s arrest obtained by Denver7 last week, Sell last month robbed his boss, 77-year-old Julian Sanchez, of thousands of dollars in cash, stabbed him, then stole his truck and dumped the injured man on the side of the road near 53rd Ave. and Washington St. Sanchez died shortly afterward at a Denver hospital.

The affidavit alleges that Sanchez had hired Sell to do some sprinkler and landscaping work after being asked by a friend of Sell’s, who said Sell was looking for work. The alleged robbery and stabbing happened after Sanchez and Sell had gone to an area Home Depot to buy supplies.

Court records indicate Sell also had an open case from April out of Denver for possession of a controlled substance, along with an open warrant out of Broomfield for failing to appear in court on DUI and drug paraphernalia possession charges he picked up last December.

Sell is next scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning in Denver for an advisement hearing.