Philadelphia Detective Becomes a Suspect in Homicide Case

A Philadelphia police homicide detective has been indicted for obstruction of justice, flight to avoid apprehension, and conspiracy. Ron Dove, a 16-year veteran of the Philadelphia police department, helped his girlfriend, Erica Sanchez, flee across state lines after she murdered her ex-husband, Cesar Vera.

Immediately after the murder, a blood-soaked Sanchez called detective Dove, begging for help. Dove soon after picked up Sanchez, drove her to Rochester, NY, and gave her a new phone that could not be traced. He also hid her car in a garage and spent time cleaning her vehicle and apartment of possible evidence.

Dove disclosed to colleagues at the police department that he might know someone who has committed a murder. He did not reveal the identity of his girlfriend, but the conversation was clearly about Sanchez. Dove continued to press his colleagues for details about the case, while keeping his girlfriend in hiding. Eventually, Dove admitted to knowing Sanchez, but denied any involvement in her escape. He also stated that the alleged murder was done in self-defense of her ex-husband. Vera was arrested twice in the past for domestic violence, both times involving Sanchez.

Dove was fired a month after the murder in November 2013 for lying to investigators.

Sanchez turned herself in October 16, 2013, and was charged with hindering apprehension and the murder of Cesar Vera. She is currently awaiting trial. Dove turned himself in to authorities Thursday, January 22. He eventually was released that night on a $2,500 bail. His lawyer, Brian McMonagle, argued that Dove “didn’t believe he was helping a criminal” and was instead “protecting a victim of domestic violence who had acted in self-defense.”

Was the murder of Vera an act of self-defense? Or was it an ex-lover’s final revenge? The general legal rule is that force used in self-defense is only justifiable if there is an imminent threat. The threat may by physical or verbal, but it must make the victim feel immediately physically threatened.

Even though Vera was arrested for domestic violence involving Sanchez in the past, his murder is only justifiable if Sanchez felt threatened in that moment. It is a high possibility that Sanchez went to Vera’s home seeking revenge for years of abuse, and killed him with no immediate threat. If this is the case, Sanchez will be found guilty of murder.

In addition to an ongoing investigation, the district attorney’s office is investigating all cases Dove was involved in while employed as a homicide detective. One case, involving the murder of Leslie Delzingaro, was led by Dove. Family members have expressed their distrust in Dove, claiming he withheld evidence from fellow investigators. Delzingaro was murdered at a bar owned by Sanchez’s father.