Man convicted of 2012 Monterey Park pizza parlor stabbing
A 26-year-old man was convicted July 7 in a fatal stabbing at a Monterey Park pizza parlor, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
After two hours of deliberations, a jury found Jose De Jesus Ruiz guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Patrick Raymond Ortega, 25. Jurors found true that Ruiz used a knife to commit the crime.
On Oct. 6, 2012, Ruiz attended a Pop Warner football game in Bell Gardens before going to a Shakey's in the 1900 block of South Atlantic Avenue, prosecutors said. A group of fans from a rival team were also there, prosecutors added.
While at the restaurant, an argument escalated into a physical fight, according to prosecutors, and Ruiz fatally stabbed Ortega.
Shortly after, Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies arrested Ruiz.
Ruiz is scheduled to return to court Sept. 1 for a sentencing hearing. He faces 16 years to life in state prison.
Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @jeromercampbell and @latimeshomicide on Twitter.
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