Chula Vista Man Gets 31 Years for Samurai Sword Killing

A Chula Vista man who stabbed his brother to death with a samurai sword and barbecue fork was sentenced Monday to 31 years to life in prison.

A jury last month convicted Alberto Gonzalez Figueroa Jr. of first-degree murder in the death of his younger brother, Mario.

Prosecutors said at trial that Figueroa stabbed his brother 38 times from the top of his head down to his feet, then left him to die a slow and painful death. The stabbing happened in April 2013 inside a condo unit in Chula Vista.

The men's grandfather was still home and heard the yelling, but before he was able to call 911, prosecutors said Figueroa took the phone, tossed it in the bedroom with his brother's body and calmly told his grandfather, "Everything is fine."

Figueroa's defense attorney, however, said at trial that he was acting in self-defense after his brother attacked him with the samurai sword. The attorney said the two wrestled each other for the weapons when Figueroa stabbed his brother.

A neighbor called 911 and officers responded to find the younger brother dead on a bedroom floor.

Figueroa was later arrested near Prospect Street and Sweetwater Road.

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