Home / Crime and Justice / Man gets life sentence for brutal street murder
Man gets life sentence for brutal street murder
16 Aug
Summary
- A 39-year-old man received a life sentence for murder.
- The victim was an elderly man attacked at a busy intersection.
- The convicted man also pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance.
A 39-year-old man, Mario Anthony De La Torre, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of an elderly man. The crime took place on October 15, 2020, at the intersection of Tustin Street and Chapman Avenue in Orange.
Juan Murillo, the 89-year-old victim, was reportedly confronted by De La Torre at a bus stop. Surveillance footage showed De La Torre following Murillo and pushing him into bushes.
De La Torre, who was homeless and a known drug user, was apprehended by police shortly after the incident, leading them on a brief foot chase. He was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. The court heard that Murillo had sustained facial injuries and had a belt or cord around his neck.
On August 14, 2026, De La Torre pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and possession of a controlled substance. He received a sentence of 15 years to life.
