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Lakeside

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A jury found an El Cajon man guilty Friday of four counts of second-degree murder in the 1988 slayings of his ex-wife, her fetus and two neighbors at a Lakeside apartment.

With that verdict, the San Diego Superior Court jury acquitted Aristeo Hernandez, 30, of four first-degree murder convictions the prosecution had sought.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Dan Lamborn said Hernandez now faces a maximum sentence of 68 years to life in prison.

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Killed Nov. 16, 1988, were Teresa Hernandez, 24; her 5-month-old male fetus; Jesus Morales-Rodriguez, 16, a neighbor, and his brother, Jose Morales-Rodriguez, 20.

Judge J. Perry Langford set sentencing for Aug. 10.

The prosecution said the slayings occurred after Hernandez became angry when told that his wages as a cabinetmaker might be garnished for failure to pay child support.

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