A man accused of murdering a man by stabbing him twice in front of a popular downtown sushi restaurant appeared in front of a judge for the first time Wednesday, pleading for sympathy.
Santiago Abraham Jr., 64, is charged with first degree murder in connection with the stabbing death of a 43-year-old unidentified man.
The incident happened around 3:15 a.m. Sunday on the 400 block of Broadway near RA Sushi.
Abraham’s attorney said it was self-defense, but the prosecutor said a security guard witnessed the two fighting and told them to stop.That’s when the prosecutor says the suspect seized the opportunity to deliver the fatal blow, stabbing the victim in the neck.
Judge David Szumowski set bail at $1 million, an amount that “prevents someone like this defendant from being out in the community and subjecting our community members to this type of violence,” Deputy District Attorney Melissa Vasel said.
When the judge asked if he wanted a bail review at a later time, the transient man responded.
“$1 million? I can’t afford it,” he said. “I make $1,135 a month. Maybe you can help me out. Sympathy from the court?”
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“I’m not a sympathetic kind of guy on cases like this,” said Szumowski.
Abraham’s attorney says he does not have any previous violent offenses but does have misdemeanor charges from decades ago in Florida.
The knife he is accused of using was found in his pocket, according to the prosecutor, after he wiped off the blood.
Authorities said the victim was from out of town and had not lived in San Diego for long.