On second thought: Jury convicts Fresno barber of 2nd-degree murder

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Fresno barber is now a convicted murderer after a jury's verdict in his second trial for killing a co-worker at Colima's Fade Shop.

The facts of the case never change, but the jury did. And so did the approach the attorneys took towards trying to convince the new jury.

Luis Lopez had no visible reaction to his second degree murder conviction Wednesday, a far different outcome than in his first trial.

Back in February, a jury acquitted the 32-year-old of a first degree murder charge for stabbing and killing Alex Solorio.

That jury was not unanimous on second degree murder, so prosecutors tried Lopez again.

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But this time, they didn't have to prove premeditation and deliberation, which are elements of first degree murder but not second degree.

"So, the issues are a little more narrowed and it becomes basically whether it was self-defense or not and whether his actions were reasonable or not," defense attorney Antonio Alvarez said.

Alvarez stuck to his argument that Lopez killed Solorio in self-defense.

But when Lopez tried to make his case to the jury, prosecutor Tim Galstan pointed out Lopez didn't initially say anything about self-defense, even when police detectives asked him.

"He gave you the opportunity to say you did it in self-defense, right?" Galstan asked Lopez about his police interview.

Lopez: "Right."

Galstan: "And you didn't take that opportunity?"

Lopez: "I didn't."

Galstan: And then Detective Diaz gave you every opportunity to say this was self-defense, right?

Lopez: "Right."

Solorio suffered 35 slashing and puncture wounds.

Lopez admitted trying to cover up his involvement afterwards.

His attorney says Lopez was under a lot of stress, he was tired, and he was really confused about what to do.

And while his face may not show it, Alvarez says Lopez understands there will be consequences for his actions.

"He actually was remorseful about this and despite the circumstances was accepting of the verdict, which I think is the biggest show of remorse," Alvarez said.

Sentencing is set for later this month.

Lopez will most likely get 16 years to life in prison - the usual punishment for second degree murder with a knife.