OXNARD : Husband Guilty in Woman’s Murder

An Oxnard man charged with fatally shooting his wife at a birthday party was found guilty Thursday of second-degree murder.

Jose Santos Castaneda, 26, will be eligible for a sentence of 50 years to life in prison under the three-strikes law, Deputy Dist. Atty. Patricia M. Murphy said.

He has two robbery convictions.

Castaneda shot his wife, Mina, through the head when he returned to a Santa Paula birthday party after helping Anthony Castillo rob an Oxnard motel clerk, according to trial testimony. Mina Castaneda, 25, was angry with the defendant because he had left the party without explanation, and she was wielding a baseball bat when he returned, Murphy said.

The prosecutor argued during the Superior Court trial that Castaneda killed his wife because she humiliated him in front of Castillo.

Castillo, who testified against Castaneda in exchange for a reduced sentence on the robbery charge, said he was walking toward the house when he heard the gun go off and saw Mina Castaneda fall.

Castaneda claimed during the trial that Castillo was the killer. The jury deliberated three hours before finding Castaneda guilty of the April 2 murder, as well as being a felon in possession of a gun.

He is scheduled for sentencing Dec. 13, Murphy said. Under the three-strikes law, Castaneda can receive sentences of 25 years to life on each of the murder and gun possession counts, the prosecutor said.