An ex-con who fatally stabbed a Woodcrest man during a confrontation that erupted when the victim told the defendant to leave a rental property, and then went on to commit several violent jailhouse attacks, was sentenced Wednesday to 125 years in state prison.
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Samuel Diaz imposed the maximum sentence on Joseph William Morales, 40, who was convicted last month of the murder of 45-year-old Michael Miller Jr., along with four counts of assault with a deadly weapon resulting in great bodily injury and multiple sentence-enhancing weapon and parole violation allegations.
Morales was one of several people living in a house on a ranch-style property at 18150 Hibiscus Ave. in Woodcrest. Prosecutors said the convicted felon repeatedly caused trouble at the location, which included a mobile home where others lived. The defendant was known to “carry knives” and had a “willingness to use them” if he became angry, according to the prosecution’s trial brief.
Witnesses told sheriff’s investigators that Morales was short-tempered and intimidated other residents. Following several complaints, Miller, who took care of the property, told Morales to vacate the premises on July 23, 2016. When the defendant failed to comply, Miller returned to the house, enlisting the help of his friend and another occupant of the parcel, a man identified only as “C.T.”
Miller took a pry bar with him for defense, fearing that he might provoke Morales, whom both the victim and his friend knew would be armed with a blade, according to the prosecution.
The confrontation started in the front yard and moved into the house. The defendant ignored repeated commands to leave, and as Miller’s friend turned away, Miller called his name and the man turned and saw the defendant coming toward him with a knife, according to prosecutors.
Investigators said Miller struck Morales with the pry bar, and the defendant turned his attention toward the victim and stabbed him in the chest.
Miller stumbled into the backyard, collapsed and died. His friend fled and called 911.
Morales jumped on a bicycle and rode away before deputies reached the scene. He was arrested a week later at his sister’s home on Heil Drive in Moreno Valley. She pleaded guilty a year later to being an accessory after the fact and was sentenced to three years probation.
According to court papers, Morales and another inmate pummeled a fellow detainee at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, forcing correctional deputies to use non-lethal weapons to stop the Sept. 26, 2017, attack.
On Feb. 13, 2018, an inmate in the middle of a telephone call got into a verbal altercation with Morales and three other men in one of the dayrooms at Smith. According to the prosecution, Morales went after the man with a “shank,” a makeshift knife, stabbing him so hard that the weapon broke off in the man’s back.
Court documents show Morales has prior convictions for auto theft, burglary and robbery.