Daniel U. Perez, a 55-year-old self-proclaimed seer, is being charged with first-degree premeditated murder.
Perez was the leader of the Valley Center commune, in Wichita, Kansas and reportedly lived off insurance payouts, which followed the deaths of numerous group members.
Patricia Hughes, 26, was killed at the group’s compound in the Wichita suburb of Valley Center. Perez is currently standing trial for her death that took place back in 2003, an event that the psychic predicted weeks in advanced.
The death was originally reported as an accident, and many believed that the young mother was attempting to save her daughter from drowning, but the case reopened after a woman stepped forward and pointed out that the scene was meant to look like an accident; it has hence forth been labeled as a homicide.
Over the years the group has been under investigation by authorities for several linked deaths, but this particular trial will be focusing on the self-proclaimed seer, Perez.
Hughes case brought attention to several other crimes that involved the small community, including a long list of false identities, and a stretch of money through Texas, South Dakota, Missouri, Kansas and Tennessee.
According to Fox News Perez is also facing charges of sexually exploiting a child, rape, sodomy, making criminal threats, lying on life insurance and auto credit forms. If he is found guilty for Hughes’ murder he will have to serve a life sentence in prison.
Although Perez says he can predict the future and is a psychic their have been no traces of any sort of religious background found in the other cases surrounding this particular one.
Witnesses have known Perez as a tough leader, who is constantly monitoring the young female followers. Several women are willing to testify against him, and are accusing him of sexually abusing him.
His attorney, Alice Osburn, has yet to release any statement regarding her client and his current status.
Photo: MIKE HUTMACHER FILE PHOTO
