Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Man Guilty of Murdering Friend who Criticized His Singing

Man Guilty of Murdering Friend who Criticized His Singing
Julian Sermano
Julian Sermano (Booking photo)
SANTA ANA -- An Orange County man was found guilty Wednesday of killing an acquaintance after the two argued over who was the better singer.

Julian Sermano, 58, of San Juan Capistrano, was found guilty of one count of second-degree murder and one count of aggravated assault, with a sentencing enhancement for use of a deadly weapon.

The murder happened at a San Juan Capistrano park in June 2007.

Prosecutors said Sermano became angry with Blas Gutierrez, 39, while the two were drinking and singing with one other man.

Gutierrez had apparently complained about Sermano's singing, and said he was a better singer. The two then began to fight, according to prosecutors.

The third man, 34-year-old Maurico Molina, tried to intervene and pulled out a pocket knife, stabbing Gutierrez twice.

Molina pleaded guilty to one felony count of voluntary manslaughter in September 2009 and was sentenced to 11 years in state prison.

During the fight, Sermano also took out a knife and tried to stab Gutierrez, prosecutors said. He wounded Molina instead.

Molina testified that as he fell to the ground and tried to call 911, Sermano chased Gutierrez down and repeatedly stabbed him prosecutors said.

Sermano is scheduled to be sentenced August 27.

He faces 16 years to life in state prison.

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