Sakashita slaying trial goes to jurors

<p>Jurors are expected to begin deliberations this morning in the trial of a Sonoma County ex-convict accused of killing a Rohnert Park guitar maker during a break-in at his workshop.</p><p>Joshua Begley, 29, faces life in prison without the possibility of parole if he is convicted of stabbing to death Taku Sakashita, 43, on Feb. 11.</p><p>In closing arguments Thursday afternoon, prosecutor Tashawn Sanders told jurors that boots found at Begley's girlfriend's apartment with Sakashita's blood on them, and a knife, coat and glove found at the crime scene linked to Begley leave little doubt of his involvement.</p><p>Items missing from the workshop, including Sakashita's fanny pack and keys, support a conclusion that Begley entered the business with plans to commit robbery or burglary before the deadly confrontation with Sakashita, she said.</p><p>Sanders asked jurors to find Begley guilty of first-degree murder with special circumstances. “Everything points to the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt as the person who committed this crime,” she said.</p><p>Begley's lawyer, Chuck Ogulnik, said the district attorney's case is circumstantial and urged jurors to be skeptical. Begley testified that he found the boots while dumpster diving the night after the killing. DNA evidence did not link the coat or knife to Begley. Ogulnik said.</p><p>Prosecutors “couldn't put it in his hands,” said the defense attorney, holding the folding knife aloft for jurors. “That's what this case is about — the knife.”</p><p>Friends and family of the victim and Begley crowded the courtroom for the closing arguments, which lasted more than three-hours. Several Bay Area guitar makers were in the audience.</p><p>Sakashita was the owner of Sakashta Guitars, a small but respected shop on Martin Avenue that made instruments for well-known musicians including Boz Scaggs. </p><p>Prosecutors said Sakashita was working late at night, on the phone to Japan, when he was interrupted. His body was found the next morning in bushes outside the workshop. He had been stabbed 11 times.</p>