Man Used Train to Murder Ex-Girlfriend

R E A D I N G, Pa., Jan. 23 -- A man angered because his former girlfriend ended their relationship has been convicted of pushing her car into the path of a freight train, killing her and three others.

Carlos Angel Diaz, of West Reading, was found guilty Monday offour counts of third-degree murder in the deaths of hisex-girlfriend, Candace Wertz, another woman and their two toddlers.If convicted of first-degree murder, he could have been sentencedto death.

Diaz, 23, bowed his head as the verdict was read. His motherheld her head down and sobbed; the victims' families choked backtears but otherwise said nothing.

"We know, we have no doubt in our mind that he didn't dothat," Diaz's sister, Liz Ruiz, said outside the courtroom.

Wertz's sister, Shelly Wendeln, issued a statement on behalf ofher family.

"We feel the third-degree does not reflect true justice but itwill keep Carlos Diaz away from the public," she said.

Diaz was also convicted of aggravated assault, recklessendangerment and risking a catastrophe. He could be sentenced to 20to 40 years in prison for each of the four murder convictions;sentencing was scheduled for Jan. 31.

High-Speed Chase

The jury deliberated three days before reaching its verdict.Jurors refused to speak to reporters as they left the courthouse.

The prosecution has said Diaz rammed Wertz's car after chasingher at speeds of up to 60 mph because he was upset she had brokenup with him. A one-year protection-from-abuse order that Wertzobtained against Diaz expired 20 days before her death.

"We're satisfied with the verdict. We wish it was first-degreebut this is fair based on the evidence," District Attorney MarkBaldwin said. "We find this a victory in this case."

Defense attorney Allan L. Sodomsky was pleased the jury rejectedthe first-degree murder charges.

"People automatically decided that Diaz deserved the deathpenalty. If you're interested in this case, you know what reallyhappened," Sodomsky said. "The jury listened to everything."