Man charged with second-degree murder in Barrio Logan stabbing

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – A transient who fatally stabbed an acquaintance in a Barrio Logan alley was convicted today of second-degree murder.

Francisco Castro, 29, was found guilty in the July 27, 2013, death of 30-year-old Christian Veloria.

San Diego police said the two men argued and Castro attacked and mortally wounded Veloria on an access road southeast of Chicano Park about 3:15 p.m., then chased him until the victim collapsed in the middle of the street in the 2200 block of Newton Avenue.

Veloria, an unemployed former shipyard worker who lived in San Diego, died at a hospital a short time later.

Castro was arrested on a roadside near Rio Sweetwater Plaza mall five days later.

A sentencing date is expected to be set tomorrow following a hearing on prior convictions.