A state appeals court panel Tuesday upheld the convictions of three tagging crew members for the stabbing death of an Arleta man who had complained days earlier about graffiti in front of his house.
A three-justice panel from California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal ruled that there was substantial evidence that Edgar Barrientos’ Dec. 21, 2014, killing was “the result of premeditation and deliberation.”
Christopher “Piso” Adauta was convicted of first-degree murder and is serving a 25-year-to-life prison term for the early morning attack on the 37-year-old man in the 8800 block of Beachy Avenue.
The victim’s neighbor, Javier “Fects” Garcia, and co-defendant Oscar “Crudo” Sanchez were each convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years to life.
The three were also found guilty of one count of attempted murder and two counts of assault with a knife involving two neighbors who came to Barrientos’ aid, with jurors finding true an allegation that the crimes were committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang.
The appellate court panel noted in its 60-page ruling that Adauta drove in circles in front of the homes of Barrientos and one of his neighbors, prompting them to come outside.
“The inference is that (Adauta) planned this action in order to force a confrontation,” the justices wrote, noting that Garcia and Sanchez initially began fighting with Barrientos and that Adauta then joined the melee and subsequently stabbed Barrientos multiple times in the face, head and chest.
Adauta acknowledged being responsible for Barrientos’ stabbing death, but claimed it was in self-defense after Barrientos attacked him with a collapsible baton, according to the ruling.
Adauta also tried to stab one of the victim’s neighbors through the bars of a gate, with one of the attempts coming close to the neighbor’s girlfriend, according to the ruling.
Garcia was arrested later that day by Los Angeles police, and Adauta and Garcia were arrested the next month. All three have remained behind bars since then.