| For Immediate Release Case # 06ZF0122 February 25, 2008 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MAN FACES TRIAL FOR STABBING AND
MURDERING SAN CLEMENTE BAR PATRON
AFTER PING PONG GAME
SANTA ANA – A San Clemente man faces trial today for stabbing and murdering a man in a parking lot after a game of ping pong in a bar. Jose Elias Sandoval, 31, San Clemente, is charged with murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon and has a prior strike conviction. If convicted he faces a maximum sentence of 55 years to life in prison. Opening statements are scheduled to begin today in Department C-40, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
On December 21, 2005, Jason Robinson was playing ping pong with friends at the Beach Hut bar in San Clemente. Sandoval is accused of joining the game. The defendant and Robinson both went to the men’s restroom, and Sandoval is accused of arguing with Robinson when the two came out of the bathroom. Sandoval is accused of getting into a fight with Robinson, but the fight was broken up.
At approximately 10:10 p.m., Sandoval is accused of leaving the bar and going to his house two blocks away and returning to the bar armed with a knife. At around 11:00 p.m. Robinson went outside to smoke a cigarette. Sandoval is accused of approaching Robinson while wearing a ski mask, stabbing him three times in the chest, and fleeing the scene. Officers arrested the defendant 30 minutes later.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Steve McGreevy of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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