Death for man in double homicide in Warminster

A man convicted last month of the close-range shooting deaths of two Warminster residents a year ago was sentenced to death Wednesday by Bucks County Judge Alan Rubenstein.

Alfonso Sanchez, 26, executed Lisa Marie Diaz, 27, and Mendez Thomas Jr., 22, on Oct. 16, 2007. Steven Miranda, 21, of Warminster, one of two codefendants who accompanied Sanchez to Thomas' apartment in the Bucks Landing complex on Street Road, received two consecutive life terms, court records said.

The third defendant, Alexander Martinez, 23, awaits sentencing. He was permitted to plead guilty to burglary and conspiracy in May in exchange for his testimony against Sanchez, according to court records.

Prosecutors said Sanchez, a cocaine dealer, had gone to the apartment because he believed the residents owed him money.

- Kathleen Brady Shea