| For Immediate Release Case # 10CF2716 November 26, 2012 |
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 MOTHER’S HOUSEGUEST
SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of murdering his mother’s houseguest by stabbing him in the chest with a pocket knife. Saul Jose Salazar, 29, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of second degree murder with 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 Feb. 15, 2013, in Department C-43, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
In 2010, Salazar was subject to a restraining order, which barred him from going near his mother based on his prior violence toward her. On two occasions, Salazar violated the restraining order by showing up at his mother’s house. The restraining order expired two weeks prior to the murder.
At approximately 2:00 a.m. on Oct. 3, 2010, Salazar stayed at his mother’s house for several hours with his friends. The defendant refused his mother’s request to leave and became violent. Salazar’s mother contacted the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) and the defendant left the home.
Later that morning, the defendant returned to his mother’s home. A party was held that evening by Salazar’s mother, and the defendant provoked a verbal altercation with 33-year-old Antonio Verdugo-Cabrera, a family friend. At approximately 11:00 p.m. when the remaining houseguests left the party, Salazar pulled out a pocket knife and murdered Verdugo-Cabrera by stabbing him in the chest. The defendant stabbed the victim two more times on his left arm. Salazar then fled the scene.
The defendant’s mother called 911 and SAPD responded to the scene. While officers were investigating the murder, Salazar returned to the scene to turn himself in. He was in possession of a bloody knife.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Susan Price of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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