Local News in Brief : Bar Patron’s Assailant Guilty of Manslaughter

Aman charged with murder in the stabbing and hit-and-run death of a Sun Valley bar patron was found guilty Monday of the lesser offense of involuntary manslaughter.

After reaching the verdict in San Fernando Superior Court, several jurors said they could not convict the man, Jose Israel Hernandez, 25, of Los Angeles, of murder because of evidence that he acted partly in self defense.

Hernandez was accused of using a screwdriver on May 18 to stab Mario Aldana, 40, who then fell in the street outside the El Pelenque bar, then was struck by a car and a truck. Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Aldana was still alive when he was struck by the car, which did not stop, said Hernandez’s attorney, Bruce Ficht.

A co-defendant in the case, Manuel Jesus Marino, 24, of Pacoima, was accused of holding Aldana while Hernandez stabbed him 18 times. Marino, who also was charged with murder, pleaded guilty Nov. 7 to voluntary manslaughter.

Ficht argued that Hernandez acted in self defense after Aldana started an argument inside the bar, then took off his belt and challenged Hernandez and Marino to settle the dispute outside.

Hernandez could receive up to five years in state prison when he is sentenced Dec. 16. Marino could be sentenced to 11 years in state prison.