Man Found Guilty of Manslaughter in Woman’s Killing

A San Diego man was convicted Friday of voluntary manslaughter for killing a former girlfriend whose decomposed body was found behind his Clairemont house.

Saying there was not enough evidence to convict him of murder, the jury handed down the decision against Vernon Walton, who turns 42 on Sunday.

During a trial before Superior Court Judge Herbert Exarhos, the jury heard evidence that Walton left Clairemont’s Moonglo bar with 50-year-old Martha Rodriguez the night before Thanksgiving last year.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Brock Arstill also presented evidence that indicated that a large amount of blood had been cleaned up in Walton’s bedroom.

Authorities used a chemical called Luminol--which reacts with iron, one of the components of blood--when they suspected Walton of being the killer, but had very little physical evidence. The test was positive in the bedroom, as was a trail leading from that room to the back of the house. Rodriguez’s body was found 125 feet away from his backdoor in San Clemente Canyon.

Defense attorney Bill Youmans attacked the Luminol testing during the trial and also called into question whether the victim had even been murdered.

Coroners were unable to conclusively determine the cause of the death, although their opinion was that it was a homicide. The victim’s body had decomposed and had been eaten by animals.

In addition to the absence of a cause of death, jury members told attorneys after the verdict was read that there was simply not enough evidence to prove murder.

In order to convict a defendant of first-degree murder, prosecutors must show premeditation. In the case of second-degree murder, there must be enough evidence to show malice and forethought.

Voluntary manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 11 years in state prison. However, Exarhos may add 10 years to any prison term because Walton has two previous felony convictions.

Walton is in custody, awaiting his sentencing on Jan. 12.