A 20-year-old Santa Barbara man faces up to 11 years in prison after being found guilty Tuesday of voluntary manslaughter in connecting with a fatal stabbing that occurred a year ago in Isla Vista.
Benjamin Vargas was convicted by a jury in Santa Barbara County Superior Court that began deliberations Friday.
He will return to court June 18 for sentencing by Judge George Eskin, and could receive a term of up to 11 years in state prison, according to Deputy District Attorney Hans Almgren.
In convicting Vargas, the jury had the choice between second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter, Almgren said, and chose the lesser charge.
Vargas was accused of slaying Vincent Velasquez in the early morning hours of May 15, 2011, during a fight on Abrego Road. The victim succumbed to multiple stab wounds, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department.
— Noozhawk executive editor Tom Bolton can be reached at tbolton@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.