Cheeseburger Fight at Diner Leads to Murder Conviction
A diner customer who went into a rage after another customer berated a waitress about serving a cheeseburger without lettuce and tomato was found guilty of murdering the complainer.
After deliberating five hours Wednesday, a jury found Ronald J. Longo, 45, of Saratoga Springs, guilty of second-degree murder. Longo had argued that he acted in self defense when he stabbed William McEntire, 27, of Weatherford, Tex., after the two men quarreled on Nov. 5, 1988.
Witnesses testified that they overheard Longo threatening McEntire at the counter in the Spa City Diner in Saratoga Springs. Longo was ordered out of the diner but lay in wait for McEntire and brandished a knife as the two men fought outside, according to testimony.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
