Waukegan man guilty of second-degree murder in cousin's slaying
A Waukegan man was found guilty Thursday morning of killing one cousin and injuring another after a night of drinking in 2014, but won an acquittal on the most serious charges against him.
Lake County Judge Daniel Shanes found Juan Guajardo, 40, guilty of second-degree murder for fatally stabbing Manuel Alaniz, but cleared him of a first-degree murder charge that could have sent him to prison for up to 60 years. Instead, Guajardo faces a maximum 20-year term when sentenced June 21.
Guajardo also was found guilty of aggravated battery for stabbing Ignacio Alaniz during the same altercation outside of the Lewis Avenue home the defendant shared with Manuel Alaniz, but was acquitted of attempted murder.
"This is a classic example of the tragedies that result from excessive drinking and using drugs," Shanes said when handing down his verdict Thursday morning.
After the verdict, Jamie Contreras, brother-in-law of Manuel Alaniz, said his family members are "ready to heal."
"We have no satisfaction in this," he said. "There is not going to be any joy in (Guajardo) going to jail. We are just glad the trial is over."
Defense attorney Jed Stone said Guajardo whispered "this isn't right" when Shanes read his ruling in court. He intends to appeal the verdict.
Authorities called to the Waukegan home about 2 a.m. June 21, 2014, found the two victims with stab wounds. Manuel Alaniz, 39, later was pronounced dead at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan. Ignacio Alaniz was treated and eventually released.
In court Wednesday, Guajardo testified that he stabbed his cousins in self-defense when they attacked him after they walked home from a nearby tavern.
However, Lake County prosecutors noted Guajardo gave police three different accounts of the stabbing and gave inconsistent testimony Wednesday.
Guajardo is being held in the Lake County jail without bond pending next month's sentencing.\