Jury Trial Ends with Verdict in Fatal Stabbing in Santa Maria | Local news

A. Santa Maria Superior Court A jury trial recently ended with a man found guilty of murder in connection with a fatal stabbing two years ago.

Quayde George Taren, 32, who had an address in Lompoc at the time of his arrest. He was then detained Homicide on Sept. 21, 2022, in the 700 block of East Betteravia Road.

Santa Maria police say 51-year-old James Ackermann was violently attacked and suffered serious injuries. Ackermann later died at a local hospital.

While Ackermann was found on the grass near a recreational vehicle dealership, investigators believe the attack occurred in a corner behind a nearby restaurant.

According to authorities, an autopsy found seven deep laceration wounds, four on the back of his head and three on the front of his face and neck.

Jurors found Taren guilty of first-degree murder as well as two counts of assault involving force likely to cause great bodily injury. They also found that a special allegation or sentencing enhancement was true that Taren used a deadly weapon during the incident.

Following the hearing, the judge ruled on additional specific claims, including that Taren had previously struck under the California Three Strikes Penal Code.

The sentencing hearing is set for November 21.

Taren faces a maximum sentence of 16 years in prison, including 50 years to life.

He remains in custody at the Santa Barbara County Jail.