Man Convicted in Death of Ex-Wife’s Fiance

A 33-year-old man who fatally shot his ex-wife’s fiance, a deputy sheriff, was convicted Wednesday of involuntary manslaughter.

The verdict was a blow to prosecutors who had sought a first-degree murder conviction, arguing that Baudilio Perez had illegally entered his former wife’s house in March 1997 with the intention of killing John Thompson, 33.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Jacqueline Lacey could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon.

Defense lawyer Henry Salcido said his client testified that the shooting was an accident. Perez said he had intended to commit suicide in front of his wife, Angela Perez, also a deputy sheriff, and was surprised to find Thompson at her house. He said Thompson pulled his sidearm, Perez drew his own gun in response and a scuffle ensued. During the struggle, Perez’s gun fired four times, hitting the defendant once and the victim twice.

“He feels terrible,” Salcido said. “He testified during the trial that he was supposed to be dead, not Thompson.”

The jury believed him, acquitting him of burglary and murder charges and deciding he committed the lesser crime of involuntary manslaughter.

Perez faces a maximum of 14 years in prison, most of that time being for using a gun in the commission of a crime. He is scheduled to be sentenced next month.