Conviction: Crossbow killer found guilty of first-degree murder

A Lancaster jury convicted Arseller Curtis Scott, a 39-year-old black man, of first-degree murder in the death of Angel Martinez, a retired Edwards Air Force Base employee.

Martinez, identified by the coroner's office as a 62-year-old white man, was found by a passerby with an arrow in his chest in the early morning hours of March 11, 2008, near 13th Street East and Avenue K in Lancaster. Authorities were called and he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to coroner's records.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Ryan Williams said on the day of the incident, Scott wanted to show his step-daughter that "he was someone not to be messed with." Scott then took a crossbow and randomly assaulted Martinez, who had gone for a late-night walk.

In addition to the murder conviction, the jury found Scott guilty of felony vandalism and dissuading a witness in another case that was combined with the murder case for trial. Scott was found not guilty of the initial robbery and assault charges.

Scott is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on Aug. 5 at the Antelope Valley Municipal Court. He faces up to 63 years to life in prison, according to the district attorney’s office.

He is currently being held at the Men's Central Jail in downtown.

-- Sarah Ardalani