N. Hollywood Man Guilty of Fatal Shooting

A San Fernando Superior Court jury convicted a North Hollywood man of first-degree murder Tuesday in the shooting death of another man outside a bar.

After deliberating just two hours, the jury found Daniel Vasquez, 28, guilty of murdering Mario Rivas, 31, also of North Hollywood, on May 14, 1988, outside a bar at the intersection of Burbank Boulevard and Cleon Boulevards.

A second jury is deliberating the case of Jose Vasquez, who also is charged with first-degree murder in Rivas’ death. Jose Vasquez is no relation to Daniel Vasquez.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Janice L. Maurizi said that Daniel Vasquez apparently mistook Rivas for another man with whom he had quarreled inside the bar before it closed. Rivas was shot in the back as he attempted to flee the scene.

Daniel Vasquez faces 27 years to life imprisonment and will be sentenced July 6. After sentencing, he will be sent to Oregon and Washington, where he is wanted in other murders, Maurizi said.