A 26-year-old man who gunned down his cousin during an apparent manic episode at the victim’s Moreno Valley home was convicted of second-degree murder after a Riverside jury deliberated one day.
Jurors in the trial of Angel Carlos Mendoza returned unanimous verdicts Thursday afternoon on the murder count and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations for the slaying of 30-year-old Manuel Garcia in 2021.
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Timothy Hollenhorst sent jurors behind closed doors briefly late Wednesday afternoon following closing statements by the prosecution and defense in the nearly two-week trial. The panel resumed deliberations Thursday, announcing findings before the end of the day…