Gang Member Convicted In Halloween Stabbing Murder
SANTA ANA (AP) — A gang member has been found guilty of stabbing and killing a man at a Halloween party in La Habra in 2009.
Orange County prosecutors say a Santa Ana jury found 19-year-old Steven Salvador Hernandez guilty of second-degree murder and street terrorism on Thursday.
Prosecutors say Hernandez stabbed 18-year-old Joshua Mora-Rodriguez in the neck with knife while two co-defendants beat him during an argument outside the La Habra home.
Mora-Rodriguez bled to death in the street.
Prosecutors say Mora-Rodriguez had no gang affiliation, had just graduated from high school, and was preparing to join the Army. He was the son of two police detectives.
Two co-defendants have been charged in the crime and are scheduled for trial later this month.
Hernandez faces 15 years to life in state prison.
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