July 19, 2012
MADERA – A Madera Superior Court jury convicted Santiago Lopez Jr., yesterday, of one count of assault with a deadly weapon, a special allegation for personally using a deadly weapon and a separate misdemeanor for battery, according to Madera County District Attorney Michael R. Keitz.During the trial, witnesses testified that Lopez, 33, was staying with his sister and her husband in Madera, in September 2011. Lopez became enraged when his sister requested that he help cover the costs of staying with them. The sister’s husband heard the commotion and went to his wife’s aide. Lopez punched the husband in the face four times, then grabbed a 5-inch kitchen knife and chased hia brother-in-law to a bedroom. Lopez’s sister ran after them and was attempting to push Lopez away when she was cut with the knife. Her screaming broke off the attack and Lopez left the house, where he was confronted by Madera Police officers.
Because of a prior robbery conviction, a strike under California’s Three Strikes law, Lopez faces up to eight years in state prison when he is sentenced on Aug. 10.
The case was presented by Deputy District Attorney Sally O. Moreno.
