Amherst Co. announces indictments in 2019 shooting that left mother, daughter dead

FILE PHOTO 2019

AMHERST CO., Va. – The Amherst County Sheriff’s Office has announced new incidents in the 2019 shooting that left a mother and daughter dead.

As we reported previously, a suspect was sought after a shooting left Doris Puleio, 92, dead and her daughter, 74-year-old Trudy Ann Goetz injured. Justin Sales, who was 18 years old at the time, was arrested in July 2019.

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His charges were dismissed in December 2021, according to the sheriff’s office.

The case remained open and under investigation for several months.

Now, Sheriff Viar has announced new indictments in the case.

Sales faces indictments for the following, according to the Sheriff:

  • First-degree murder
  • Aggravated murder
  • Aggravated malicious wounding
  • Shooting into an occupied dwelling
  • Attempted robbery
  • Two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony

No further details were released.


About the Author

Alli Graham came aboard the digital team as an evening digital content producer in June 2022.

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