| For Immediate Release Case # 09CF1360
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Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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MAN CONVICTED OF STABBING-MURDER OF FORMER HOUSEMATE
SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of stabbing and murdering his former housemate. Oscar Robles Diaz, 26, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of second degree murder and a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon. He faces a maximum sentence of 16 years to life in state prison at his sentencing Dec. 2, 2011, in Department C-40, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
This was re-trial of this case, as a previous jury was unable to reach a decision on May 18, 2011, as to whether the defendant should be convicted of first or second degree murder.
At approximately 2:00 a.m. on May 28, 2009, Diaz was drinking alcohol, singing, and talking with several people outside of a residence in Santa Ana. All of the men drinking with the defendant were current or previous residents in the home, which was divided into several living spaces.
Diaz got into a verbal argument with 49-year-old Leon Torres, who had moved out of the residence one week earlier. The defendant stabbed the victim 20 times, murdering him. Diaz then fled the scene. Witnessed called 911.
The defendant was arrested at 8:00 a.m. that morning by the Santa Ana Police Department, who investigated this case. At the time of his arrest, Diaz was wearing clothing with dried blood on it. He was linked to the murder through blood DNA evidence at the scene.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Susan Price of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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