Homeless Man Convicted of Strangling Girlfriend
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VENTURA — A 55-year-old homeless man was found guilty of second-degree murder Monday for strangling his girlfriend two years ago during an argument in downtown Ventura.
Jose Garcia showed no reaction as the verdict was read in Ventura County Superior Court. A transient with a long history of violence against women, he faces 15 years to life in prison when he is sentenced next month.
Prosecutors had pushed for a first-degree murder conviction, arguing that Garcia deliberately choked fellow transient Marsha Lane to death Feb. 17, 1997, after they fought on the steps of an elementary school.
After four days of deliberations, the jury found Garcia not guilty of first-degree murder, but guilty of second-degree murder. The difference centers on premeditation.
Garcia would have faced 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the more serious charge. Instead, he could be eligible for parole after 11 years.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Ron Bamieh vowed to oppose any attempts by the state to ever release Garcia on parole.
“Nobody is going to let this man out,” Bamieh said. “I’ll write a letter after sentencing and I will forward that to the parole board.”
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