Local News in Brief : Man Pleads Guilty to Slaying in Plea Bargain
A Fresno County man, charged in the fatal stabbing of a Sun Valley man, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter Tuesday.
Maximo Ayala Valencia, 37, of Parlier was originally charged with first-degree murder in the March 6 death of Pastor Velasquez, 25. But in a plea-bargain arrangement with prosecutors, he entered a plea of guilty to one count of manslaughter before San Fernando Superior Court Judge Meredith Taylor.
According to testimony at the preliminary hearing in April, a fight between Valencia and Velasquez and at least two others broke out over a woman whom Valencia said was his ex-girlfriend.
A witness testified that Valencia had gone to the Sun Valley house to see the woman. When he got there, Valencia said Velasquez was attempting to choke her, according to Deputy Dist. Atty. Craig R. Richman. Valencia said he intervened to rescue her and got into a fight with Velasquez, Richman said.
Valencia then left and returned about 3 a.m. with an 8-inch knife, according to court documents. He again fought with Velasquez, stabbing him in the chest, Richman said.
Valencia, who will be sentenced July 26, will probably receive an agreed-upon sentence of seven years in state prison, Richman said.
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