This Monday will bring the sentencing of a man who stabbed to death a female tourist outside a shopping centre in 2009. The violence ensured after the woman refused to give the man money.
The man in question, 39 year old Eric Russell Andreasen, was convicted of first degree murder in March 2011. Furthermore, jurors decided that special circumstance allegations of murder in a robbery applied to the death of Katherine Parker, 54. The same jury also agreed that Andreasen was legally sane when he murdered Parker. Prior to the court case, the defendant had been assessed by medical professionals and deemed suitably sound of mind to stand trial and to give evidence.
Andreasen’s defence attorney, Dan Segura, claimed that his client’s mental illness was what resulted in him killing Parker two years ago. Segura explained to jurors that Andreasen’s schizophrenia caused him to suffer from religious-based delusions and psychotic episodes.
However, Roi Lai, Deputy District Attorney, argued that Andreasen’s motivation was anger, resulting from the victim’s refusal to give him money. The prosecution in the case informed the court that Andreasen had a history of demanding money from female strangers. Therefore, Segura’s case was discredited and discounted by the jury.
Parker had been leaving the Hallmark store in Vista Way when she was assaulted. Andreasen is said to have grabbed the woman from behind and stabbed her with his knife in her face, neck and stomach.
Andreasen stayed at the scene until the police arrived. He was then arrested and driven to Oceanside's police station.
Parker was airlifted to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla. According to the medical examiner’s office, shortly after arrival, the woman was certified as dead. Katherine Parker had been visiting family in the area when she was killed. She was a resident of North Carolina.
This Monday Eric Andreasen will finally be sentenced and brought to justice for his crimes. It is likely that he will be given life imprisonment. However, there are constant surprises in the legal system, so San Diego awaits the outcome.
References
Man Must Stand Trial for Stabbing Tourist. (2009). Fox 5. Sandiego.com. Retrieved from
http://www.fox5sandiego.com/news/kswb-tourist-stabbing,0,3237745.story
Sentencing for Man Accused of Fatally Stabbing Female Tourist. (2011). KFMB-TV 8.
Retrieved from http://www.cbs8.com/story/14698317/sentencing-for-man-accused-of-fatally-stabbing-female-tourist
Tourist Dies After Being Stabbed In Parking Lot. (2009). San Diego News. Retrieved from
http://www.10news.com/news/19091975/detail.html
