| For Immediate Release Case # TBA December 5, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MAN TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR STABBING-MURDER OF NEIGHBOR AND ASSAULTING SECOND VICTIM WITH METAL OBJECT
SANTA ANA – A man will be arraigned tomorrow for murdering his mobile home park neighbor by stabbing him to death and assaulting a second victim two days later. Robert Eugene Vasquez, 34, San Juan Capistrano, is charged with one felony count of special circumstances murder by lying in wait, one felony count of aggravated assault, and a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon. If convicted, he faces a sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole. The special circumstance in this case makes the defendant eligible for the death penalty. The People will be requesting Vasquez be held without bail at his arraignment tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.
On the morning of Dec. 1, 2011, Vasquez is accused of waiting outside of the home of his neighbor, Bobby Ray Rainwater, Jr., with the intention of murdering him. When the victim left his home, Vasquez is accused of attacking him by punching him in the back of the head. The defendant is accused of then stabbing Rainwater multiple times, nearly decapitating him. After murdering the victim, Vasquez is accused of fleeing the scene.
On Dec. 3, 2011, Vasquez is accused of being at another residence in San Juan Capistrano. He is accused of using a metal object to hit victim Lance Lyons in the face as the victim was lying down. The defendant is accused of attempting to hit the victim a second time, but was stopped by Lyons’ brother.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) arrested Vasquez that day. In the course of their investigation, OCSD determined that Vasquez was also responsible for the murder of Rainwater.
The investigation is ongoing and the motives for the crimes are not being released at this time.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Ebrahim Baytieh of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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