The trial for a Santa Paula man accused of attempted murder ended Wednesday with a guilty verdict and next month Jesus Arroyo-Vidal will be sentenced for the knife attack that occurred earlier this year.
According to Santa Paula Police Sgt. Cody Madison, on September 23 the 33-year-old Arroyo-Vidal “was found guilty of attempted murder with enhancements for causing great bodily injury, use of a deadly weapon, and premeditation,” in Ventura County Superior Court.
Madison noted that when Arroyo-Vidal appears again in court for sentencing October 22 he could be sentenced up to life in prison but with the possibility of parole after he serves seven years with good behavior.
The attempted murder occurred April 11 at approximately 11:22 p.m. on the 500 block of Acacia Road, east of Peck Road.
Police had been notified that a stabbing victim was in the area and upon officers’ arrival they found a man with a large laceration to the neck area.
The victim was transported to the Trauma Unit of Ventura County Medical Center where he was admitted and listed as being in critical condition.
Witnesses to the incident identified Arroyo–Vidal — who was still at the scene — as the suspect to police investigators who arrested him.
He was taken to Ventura County Jail where bail for Arroyo-Vidal was initially set at $1 million.
The motive for the attack on the unarmed victim has not yet been revealed.
Madison noted that five months following the attack, “At this time the victim is still recovering from his injuries…”
The victim was reportedly stabbed in one side of his neck with such force that the knife almost protruded from the other side.
