Articles Tagged With ‘murder’




Judge rules San Luis Obispo County murder suspect can stand trial

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A San Luis Obispo County judge ruled on Wednesday that enough evidence exists for a defendant to stand trial for the murder of a Santa Maria man on Highway 166 last November. Abel Angel Santiago, 23, is... (Continue reading)

Hearing reveals troubling details of San Luis Obispo County murder

By KAREN VELIE During a preliminary hearing of two brothers suspected in the San Luis Obispo County murder and disposal of a 50-year-old woman troubling details of the crime were disclosed. The brothers return to court for an arraignment on... (Continue reading)

Hate crime allegation stands in North County murder case

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A San Luis Obispo County judge ruled on Tuesday that a hate crime enhancement will stand in the case of a Paso Robles man accused of murdering a gay Atascadero man. Todd Pinion, 32, had been missing... (Continue reading)

Santa Barbara County deputies arrest fifth suspect over fatal stabbing

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s detectives last week arrested a fifth and final suspect over the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old in the Goleta area last year. On April 30, 2025, the teenage victim was stabbed near San... (Continue reading)

Nipomo man identified as victim of deadly Santa Maria stabbing

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The Santa Maria Police Department identified the Nipomo man who died from wounds suffered in a May 16 stabbing as 21-year-old Steven Vargas. Shortly before 7 p.m. on May 16, a caller reported a stabbing victim in... (Continue reading)

Man who murdered Nipomo woman to be released from prison

By KAREN VELIE A man who robbed, raped and murdered a Nipomo woman in 1974 is slated to be released in San Luis Obispo County after spending m0re than 50 years in prison. The California Board of Parole granted 75-year-old... (Continue reading)

Gang member given 42 years to life in prison for Oceano murder, knife assault

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A San Luis Obispo County judge on Tuesday sentenced a 31-year-old gang member from Santa Maria to 42 years to life in prison for the murder of an Oceano man and a separate knife assault of a... (Continue reading)

Lompoc man who lit his father on fire convicted of murder, ruled sane

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A Lompoc man who set his father on fire is facing life in prison after a jury convicted him of first-degree murder and found that he was legally sane at the time of the crime. The Santa... (Continue reading)

Man convicted of murder in Santa Maria cold case sentenced to life in prison

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A Santa Barbara County judge on Friday sentenced a 57-year-old man to life in prison without the possibility of parole over the murder of a 30-year-old woman in Santa Maria in 1988. On Sept. 18, 1988, Aloysius... (Continue reading)

Lompoc man describes lighting his father on fire, and why

By KAREN VELIE The Lompoc man on trial for murder after he set his father’s hair on fire, argues he did not plan to kill his 68-year-old father Joseph Garcia Sr., but that it was a desperate attempt to get... (Continue reading)