S. Calif. man sentenced for killing acquaintance who criticized his singing

Calif. man sentenced for slaying over song dispute

SANTA ANA, Calif. — A California man who stabbed to death an acquaintance for complaining about his singing has been sentenced to 16 years to life in prison.

Fifty-eight-year-old Julian Sermano was sentenced Friday on charges of second-degree murder and assault.

Prosecutors says Sermano and two acquaintances were drinking and singing at a San Juan Capistrano park in 2007 when 39-year-old Blas Gutierrez criticized Sermano and boasted he was a better singer.

Prosecutors say a fight began and Gutierrez was stabbed to death.

A co-defendant, 34-year-old Maurico Molina of San Juan Capistrano, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the case last year and was sentenced to 11 years in prison.