Santa Ana man gets 16 years to life for stabbing his mom’s houseguest

Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 10CF2716: February 15, 2013
Contacts: Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff, Office: 714-347-8408, Cell: 714-292-2718; Farrah Emami, Spokesperson, Office: 714-347-8405, Cell: 714-323-4486

MAN SENTENCED TO 16 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR STABBING-MURDER OF MOTHER’S HOUSEGUEST

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced today to 16 years to life in state prison for 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 Nov. 26, 2012, of one felony count of second degree murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon.

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 surrender. He was in possession of a bloody knife, which was later determined to be the murder weapon.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Susan Price of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

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Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney
401 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701