California man Rafa Solano convicted of murder for decapitating his ex-girlfriend with a samurai sword
The jury returned its verdict Monday afternoon in a Redwood City courtroom.
They found Rafa Solano guilty of murdering 27-year-old Karina Castro in the middle of a street in San Carlos, a city in San Mateo County.
Authorities say the crime happened on the street in front of the victim’s residence during an argument over Snapchat messages.
RELATED: Man admits to beheading NorCal mother of two with samurai sword, claims self-defense
Man admits to beheading NorCal mother of two with samurai sword, claims self-defense
ABC7’s sister station KGO-TV has learned the two were in an ongoing relationship and had a child together, but law enforcement sources say the victim obtained a temporary restraining order against the suspect in April 2022.
Family members of the victim, Castro, told KGO-TV that Solano was schizophrenic and was taking medication, which his family confirmed through his attorney.
Law enforcement and Castro’s family claim that Solano had been violent with Castro, leading her to obtain a restraining order against him in April 2022. The San Mateo District Attorney said that Castro had never called the police when Solano violated the order.
“I’m not criticizing the victim at all on this. It’s something we see all the time in the area of domestic violence,” prosecutor Steve Wagstaffe said in 2022. “There’s something called cycle of domestic violence and this is part of it.”.
Young California mother decapitated on street identified, new information released on man arrested in attack
Young California mother decapitated on street identified, new information released on man arrested in attack
In February 2023, KGO-TV I-Team reporter Dan Noyes spoke with Solano at the San Mateo County Jail.
Solano admitted to killing Castro. He claimed it was self-defense.
Solano’s attorney questioned whether he was competent to stand trial, but after the judge ruled earlier this year that he was.
Solano and Castro argued over Snapchat messages.
She threatened to criticize him on social media for his rape conviction 10 years ago.
Solano said he hoped he would get a lighter sentence because of his mental health issues, or that he could serve his sentence in a psychiatric hospital.
“I understand what he wants. State prison is full of people who wish they had a lighter sentence,” Wagstaffe said.
Wagstaffe said Solano could be sentenced to 26 years to life in prison.
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