Paul Anthony Diaz

A transient charged with murder can prove his innocence because he was in jail at the time of the killing--a lucky coincidence that could clear him of a previous murder conviction as well, the man's attorney said Wednesday. Ironically, the leaked revelation will probably lead to dismissal of murder charges against Paul Anthony Diaz, 30, without a trial--a setback for his defense strategy. Diaz's trial on charges of killing a suspected drug dealer is scheduled to start today.

A San Fernando judge Thursday declared a convicted murderer not guilty of a second killing because he was in jail when it took place. Paul Anthony Diaz, 30, could have been sentenced to death for the 1990 slaying of a suspected drug dealer, based on the "strong case" against him, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Darren Levine. A witness had identified Diaz as the killer and four informants told police that Diaz--already convicted of a murder--had confessed to them.

A San Fernando judge Thursday declared a convicted murderer not guilty of a second killing because he was in jail when it took place. Paul Anthony Diaz, 30, could have been sentenced to death for the 1990 slaying of a suspected drug dealer, based on the "strong case" against him, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Darren Levine. A witness had identified Diaz as the killer and four informants told police that Diaz--already convicted of a murder--had confessed to them.

A San Fernando judge Thursday declared a convicted murderer innocent of a second killing because he was in jail when it happened. Whether the ruling will help Paul Anthony Diaz overturn the earlier murder conviction as well remains to be seen, Diaz's lawyers said. Diaz, 30, could have been sentenced to death for the 1990 slaying of a suspected drug dealer, based on the strong case against him, Deputy Dist. Atty. Darren Levine said.

A San Fernando judge Thursday declared a convicted murderer innocent of a second killing because he was in jail when it happened. Whether the ruling will help Paul Anthony Diaz overturn the earlier murder conviction as well remains to be seen, Diaz's lawyers said. Diaz, 30, could have been sentenced to death for the 1990 slaying of a suspected drug dealer, based on the strong case against him, Deputy Dist. Atty. Darren Levine said.

A transient charged with murder can prove his innocence because he was in jail at the time of the killing--a lucky coincidence that his attorney hopes will clear him of a previous murder conviction as well. The revelation could lead to dismissal of murder charges against Paul Anthony Diaz, 30, without a trial--ironically, a setback for his defense strategy. Diaz's trial on charges of killing a suspected drug dealer was scheduled to start today.

A San Fernando Superior Court jury Tuesday convicted a 29-year-old transient of first-degree murder in the shooting death of a suspected drug dealer whose body was found dumped in a storm drain. Paul Anthony Diaz faces a maximum penalty of 31 years to life in prison when he is sentenced July 3 for the death of Glen Scott Gilbert, 25, of Tujunga, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Rosalie L. Morton. Gilbert's body was found in a storm drain at the bottom of a 10-foot cliff in Tujunga Canyon on Feb.

A transient charged with murder can prove his innocence because he was in jail at the time of the killing--a lucky coincidence that his attorney hopes will clear him of a previous murder conviction as well. The revelation could lead to dismissal of murder charges against Paul Anthony Diaz, 30, without a trial--ironically, a setback for his defense strategy. Diaz's trial on charges of killing a suspected drug dealer was scheduled to start today.

A transient charged with murder can prove his innocence because he was in jail at the time of the killing--a lucky coincidence that could clear him of a previous murder conviction as well, the man's attorney said Wednesday. Ironically, the leaked revelation will probably lead to dismissal of murder charges against Paul Anthony Diaz, 30, without a trial--a setback for his defense strategy. Diaz's trial on charges of killing a suspected drug dealer is scheduled to start today.