Man Sent to Prison for Revenge Slaying
A North Hollywood man who was convicted of fatally stabbing a man he thought had beat up his father was sentenced Friday to 16 years to life in prison.
San Fernando Superior Court Judge Howard J. Schwab sentenced Carlos Arnoldo Lopez, 25, in connection with the Dec. 13 stabbing death of Lionel Mercado, 40.
Lopez was found guilty July 11 of second-degree murder for killing Mercado near a liquor-store parking lot at Vanowen Street and Hinds Avenue in North Hollywood. He testified during his trial that he believed Mercado was one of several men who earlier that day had attacked his father at the same liquor store while trying to steal a six-pack of beer.
But witnesses testified during the trial that Mercado was not involved in the attack.
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