Crime & Safety
SMC Jury Reaches Murder Verdict In San Carlos Mother's Beheading
Prosecutors said the killing was motivated by vengeance, while the defense argued it was self-defense by a man with mental health issues.
SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — The man who beheaded the mother of his child with a sword in 2022 in San Carlos in front of several witnesses was convicted of first-degree murder Monday afternoon in San Mateo County Superior Court.
Jose Rafael Solano Landaeta, 34, who had pleaded not guilty to charges against him, killed 27-year-old Karina Castro with a sword on Sept. 8, 2022, according to the jury's verdict.
The killing occurred near her apartment off Laurel Street.
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The defense portrayed the killing as self-defense by a man with mental health issues. His lawyer said Solano, who refused to attend the start of the trial, was not taking his medication, Risperdal, which was allegedly used to treat his chronic paranoid schizophrenia.
Prosecutors said the killing was motivated by vengeance, using several exchanges on Instagram and Snapchat presenting a volatile relationship between Solano and the victim.
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In the social media exchanges, Castro threatened to reveal information such as alleged sexual encounters Solano had with an underage girl, while Solano sent threatening messages of his own on Instagram, including a ninja emoji followed by blood emojis.
He also threatened to take their daughter away from Castro. About three hours before the killing, Solano texted a friend, "She lookin ta get smoked blood."
Solano's defense argued Castro had knives and attempted to stab Solano, although the alleged knives have not been recovered. According to the defense, Castro also threatened Solano's family with violence, telling him she put a hit out on his mother, who lived in the same apartment building as Castro.
Eyewitnesses said they saw Solano and Castro having an intense argument outside of Castro's apartment, before he went into his car and retrieved the sword used to kill Castro.
The jury on Monday was asked to return for instruction on deliberating on aggravating factors, including Solano using a sword to behead Castro.
Story by Tony Hicks, Bay City News.
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