LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — A Lancaster County man accused of stabbing two siblings- killing one and severely injuring another- will have his case proceed to county court after he waived his preliminary hearing.
Benjamin Garcia Gual, 49, from East Hempfield Township, will stand trial in the Court of Common Pleas on charges of criminal homicide, attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of crime and recklessly endangering another person.
Garcia Gual is accused of stabbing siblings Carmen and Luis Martinez-Silva at a home along the 2900 block of Dell Lane in Lancaster at around 1:40 p.m. on Nov. 3.
Police arrived at the scene to find both victims suffering from multiple stab wounds and Garcia Gual inside a car with a kitchen knife.
First responders performed life-saving measures on Carmen but she ultimately succumbed to her injuries. Luis survived the incident with multiple stab wounds throughout his body including to the base of his skull, chest, abdomen and left arm.
Carmen's daughter told police her mother was "scared" of Garcia Gual, who had reportedly been angered earlier and threatened to stab Carmen over her recent haircut.
According to an eyewitness, Garcia Gual stabbed Carmen Martinez-Silva when she attempted to pull him away from her brother. Garcia Gual also attempted to swing the knife toward two other people at the incident but reportedly missed both times.
First Assistant District Attorney Travis Anderson will prosecute the case.
