Father, Teen Son And 3rd Youth Convicted Of Murder

RIVERSIDE (AP) — A Southern California father, his teenage son and another youth have been convicted of murder for the revenge stabbing death of a man last year.

Three separate Riverside County juries convicted 33-year-old Jesus Rafael Veliz Sr., 16-year-old Jesus Rafael Veliz Jr. and 17-year-old Aaron Morhy for killing 45-year-old Charles Sparks in his Perris home in March 2009. Verdicts were reached Monday and Tuesday.

Veliz and his son were convicted of first-degree murder and burglary. Morhy was convicted of second-degree murder because he struck Sparks with a rock and didn't use a knife.

The teenagers were tried as adults.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise says Sparks had intervened to help teens fighting with the younger Veliz and his father was bent on revenge. Prosecutors say Sparks had 26 knife wounds.

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