Man sentenced in deadly stabbing of Camp Pendleton Marine

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Certainly one of two males convicted within the 2017 stabbing dying of a Camp Pendleton Marine throughout a Gaslamp Quarter brawl was sentenced Friday to 19 years in state jail.

Jeff Shai Holliday, 29, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter within the dying of 21-year-old Ryan Harris, whereas his co-defendant, 41-year-old Jose Oscar Esqueda was discovered responsible of first-degree homicide. Esqueda is because of be sentenced in July.

Esqueda was charged with stabbing Harris and one other Marine, whereas Holliday was charged with homicide and assault for sucker-punching a 3rd Marine, which prosecutors allege sparked the deadly melee.

Deputy District Lawyer Christopher Lawson advised jurors the defendants had been wandering across the Gaslamp round 1 a.m. Dec 29, 2017, on the lookout for victims, a sample he stated was exhibited in a pair of would-be robberies the boys took half in earlier within the 12 months.

The prosecutor stated the boys cased the downtown space for a possible sufferer earlier than selecting Christopher De Herrera, who was by himself on the nook of Island and Sixth avenues.

As seen on surveillance footage, Esqueda and De Herrera exchanged phrases, after which Holliday punched De Herrera within the head from behind. 4 of De Herrera’s fellow Marines witnessed the altercation and ran over to intervene, resulting in Harris’ deadly stabbing, in addition to the damage stabbing of fellow Marine Andrew Haulman.

Protection attorneys stated the battle was sparked by De Herrera asking Esqueda, “The place you from?” a typical gang problem that usually precedes violence.

Esqueda’s lawyer, Zaki Zahawi, stated the assertion was taken as a critical risk of potential violence, although Lawson alleged the proof didn’t present that De Herrera truly stated the phrases, nor that they’d justify the battle that adopted.

As soon as the opposite Marines joined the fray, Zahawi stated Esqueda tried to run, however was grabbed by Haulman, who started throwing punches.

The lawyer stated Esqueda then used the knife to lawfully defend himself. Harris was stabbed within the throat, whereas Haulman suffered wounds to his chest and again.

Together with the deadly stabbing, the boys had been convicted of theft and conspiracy to commit theft in two separate incidents that occurred in Pacific Seaside and Chula Vista earlier that 12 months. The pair had been discovered responsible of stealing a bicycle from a pair in Pacific Seaside on April 15 and accosting consumers on April 29 on the Chula Vista mall.

Lawson alleged their habits in these incidents mirrored their prowling of the Gaslamp Quarter in December, although Zawahi and Holliday’s lawyer, Abram Genser, stated there was no proof to recommend the boys had been “on the hunt” for victims whereas they had been strolling round downtown.

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