SOLEDAD — A Monterey County jury has convicted Moises Meraz Espinoza, an inmate at Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad, of two counts of assault by a life prisoner for two separate, violent stabbings of fellow inmates, announced Monterey County District Attorney’s Office on Aug. 15.
On Feb. 4, 2023, Espinoza attacked his cellmate after the evening lockdown, stabbing him more than 20 times in the back, chest, arms and legs. At about 9:08 p.m., correctional officers discovered Espinoza straddling the victim inside the cell. The victim was rushed to Natividad Medical Center and treated in the Intensive Care Unit for multiple life-threatening injuries.
On Nov. 25, 2024, Espinoza was seen walking up to another inmate in the prison yard and immediately stabbing him. The second victim also suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to Natividad for emergency treatment.
Following deliberations, the jury found Espinoza guilty of both assaults. He was scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 27 and faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison.
Espinoza is currently serving a life sentence for the 2011 murder of his mother in Los Angeles County.
