A parolee accused of stabbing a 31-year-old man to death during a confrontation in Riverside was charged Friday with murder.
Jesse Navarro Valdez, 53, of Riverside was arrested Wednesday after he turned himself into police following a two-week investigation into the slaying of David Rhines, also of Riverside.
In addition to murder, Valdez is charged with sentence-enhancing allegations of using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony and committing a violent crime while on parole.
He was being held without bail at the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside and is slated to make his initial court appearance Monday at the Riverside Hall of Justice.
According to Riverside police Officer Ryan Railsback, on the night of July 28, Valdez and Rhines were involved in an unspecified dispute in a residential garage in the 8100 block of Philbin Avenue, near the north end of Philbin Park.
The exchange escalated to a fight, culminating in the defendant allegedly pulling a knife and attacking the victim.
Railsback said Rhines suffered “multiple stab wounds” and was left unconscious as Valdez immediately fled the location.
Witnesses called paramedics, who attempted lifesaving measures, but the victim died at the scene.
Homicide detectives pieced together the events and ultimately identified Valdez as the alleged assailant, according to Railsback.
Initial attempts to locate the convicted felon proved unsuccessful. However, on Wednesday evening, he walked into the police department’s Magnolia Station and declared his identity, resulting in his being taken into custody without incident, Railsback said.
According to court records, Valdez has prior convictions for assault with a deadly weapon, possession of controlled substances, burglary and driving under the influence of drugs.