4 Gang Members Convicted In Stabbing Death Of Boy During Brawl

SANTA BARBARA (AP) — Four gang members have been convicted of murder for the stabbing death of a 16-year-old boy during a Santa Barbara street brawl.

Jurors on Monday returned first-degree murder verdicts against 19-year-old Ruben Mize and 19-year-old Bryan Steven Medinilla for the July 2007 gang brawl that left Lorenzo Carachure dying in the street and two others wounded.

Raul Junior Diaz and Ricardo Manuel Nava Jr., both 20, were convicted on second-degree murder.

The Santa Barbara News-Press says jurors acquitted the men of attempted murder counts for the stabbings of Lorenzo's cousin Noe Carachure and friend Rogelio Hernandez.

Prosecutors say the defendants met at an eastside market and got a ride into rival territory, where they ambushed Lorenzo and the other victims.

Sentencing is set for May 9.

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