SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Jurors have reached their verdict in the trial of a man accused of killing a Navy sailor on a Logan Heights freeway ramp in 2018.
Edson Acuna, 26, was found guilty of first-degree murder, robbery, and several other charges in connection with the murder of 21-year-old Curtis Adams on Oct. 27, 2018.
Adams was driving on I-15 at about 2 a.m., when he came upon what appeared to be a disabled vehicle. As Adams got out of his vehicle to check on the car's occupants when he was shot.
Prosecutors say Acuna and three others had burglarized a Mt. Hope home that night, before getting into a shootout with the home's residents. As they fled, one of their vehicle's tires were shot out.
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After they pulled over, prosecutors say Acuna and the others believed the Navy man to be the homeowner and opened fire. Adam's girlfriend was also in the car with him at the time of the shooting.
Acuna's 22-year-old brother, Brandon, and two other co-defendants, Harvey Liberato, 25, and Susana Galvan, 39, have pleaded guilty to charges including voluntary manslaughter and being an accessory after the fact.
Adams enlisted in the Navy in 2016. At the time of his death, he worked as a steelworker with Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado.
Acuna was also found guilty of burglary, possession of firearm by a felon, transporting assault weapon, possession of assault weapon, prohibited person holding or possessing ammunition, and carrying loaded firearm in a vehicle. He was found not guilty of shooting at an inhabited structure, building or aircraft.
He's set to be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole on April 10.
