Black Friday
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A Salinas man was found guilty of first degree murder, Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni announced Friday.
Josias Alexis Angel Abarca (26) was found guilty for the killing of Nelson Sanchez in Salinas on July 19, 2021.
The jury also found true the special circumstance of “lying in wait” – a criminal act of hiding and waiting for an individual with the intention to kill or seriously harm that individual – and a gun use enhancement.
Sanchez left his home to go to work early in the morning when Abarca – who had been waiting outside Sanchez’s home with a gun – charged out of the dark and fired seven times, striking Sanchez with six bullets.
Salinas police tied Abarca to the crime through his phone and DNA evidence left on the shell casings at the scene.
The case was investigated by Salinas police sergeant, Gabriela Contreras. Judge Pamela Butler will sentence Abarca on Dec. 15. Abarcaa faces a sentence of life without parole.
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