Man Accused of Fatal Stabbing In Spring Valley Must Stand Trial

The suspect in a will stand trial on charges of murder, it was ruled in a preliminary hearing Monday.

Hector Ivan Romero Hernandez, 33, is charged in the March 16 death of 30-year-old Roque Varela, at a home in the 700 block of Sacramento Avenue.

Romero allegedly arrived unannounced to the home at about 8:10 p.m. and began arguing with Varela, before stabbing him with a large knife.

The victim was in the home visiting a mutual friend at the time of Romero's arrival. He died at the hospital about a half-hour after the attack, according to prosecutors.

Romero was arrested early the next morning at round 6 a.m. at a residence in the 3200 block of Central Avenue.

Witnesses testified during the preliminary hearing at the El Cajon
Courthouse that the victim and the defendant had argued and fought three months earlier, when Romero told Varela to quiet down as the victim talked on his cell phone in front of Romero's home.

The two men did not know each other before the fight, which Varela won, said Deputy District Attorney Heather Trocha.

El Cajon Judge Gary Bubis ruled that enough evidence had been presented for Romero to stand trial. A Superior Court arraignment was set for Oct. 3.

If convicted of the murder charge, Romero faces 26 years to life in prison, Trocha said.

City News Service contributed to this report.