Transient accused of fatal stabbing pleads not guilty to murder charges

A homeless man accused of fatally stabbing an acquaintance in a Barrio Logan alley pleaded not guilty to a murder charge on Monday.

Francisco Castro, 28, was ordered held on $1 million bail.

National City police officers arrested the defendant near Rio Sweetwater Plaza mall about 3:30 a.m. Friday, according to San Diego police.

Castro allegedly attacked 30-year-old Christian Veloria on an access road southeast of Chicano Park about 3:15 p.m. on July 27, then chased him until he collapsed in the 2200 block of Newton Avenue, Lt. Mike Hastings said.

Castro, who was wearing shorts and no shirt, fled before authorities arrived, police said. Veloria, an unemployed former shipyard worker who lived in San Diego, was declared dead from multiple stab wounds at a hospital shortly afterward.

No motive for the slaying was disclosed.

If convicted as charged, Castro faces 26 years to life in prison. He is due back in court Aug, 14 for a readiness conference. A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 16.