| For Immediate Release Case # 09CF1360 December 2, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MAN SENTENCED TO 16 YEARS TO LIFE IN STATE PRISON FOR STABBING-MURDER OF FORMER HOUSEMATE
SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced today to 16 years to life in state prison for stabbing and murdering his former housemate. Oscar Robles Diaz, 26, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury Nov. 7, 2011, of one felony count of second degree murder and a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon.
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.
During the sentencing today, the victim’s wife Sandra Buendia gave a tearful victim impact statement and explained that the defendant took half of her life when he took away her husband and the father of her son. She said that her family no longer has the love and support of Torres because of Diaz. Buendia also said that she forgives the defendant because her son is the same age and she sees that the defendant didn’t just ruin her life, but his own.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Susan Price of the Homicide Unit prosecuted this case.
###