Fresno man guilty of second-degree murder in death of homeless man
A jury found a 49-year-old Fresno man guilty of second-degree murder this week for kicking and stomping a homeless man to death, leaving remnants of the victim’s blood on his shoes, officials said.
Frank Ruben Castillo faces 38 years to life in prison for the killing of 44-year-old Johnny Salvio, according to The Fresno Bee. Castillo has prior felony convictions for kidnap, assault, domestic violence and theft.
Castillo showed no emotion at the verdict’s announcement in the Fresno County Superior Court, according to the Fresno Bee. The killing happened April 9, 2012, outside a radiator shop in southeast Fresno.
Prosecutor Sam Dalesandro said one of Salvio’s friends saw Castillo kicking Salvio as he slept, then police were alerted. Castillo’s attorney, Douglas Foster, said his client “didn’t mean to kill” Salvio, noting both had shared beers together before the incident. Foster claimed Castillo didn’t realize how hard he kicked Salvio.
Salvio died from his injuries at Community Regional Medical Center. Authorities arrested Castillo a few days later, the prosecutor told the jury, where they found the victim’s blood on Castillo’s shoes.
Before the killing, Castillo and Salvio were in conflict over a woman they were both seeing, according to media reports.
Castillo’s sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 10.
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