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Defendant claims self-defense
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Related Topics: SAN FRANCISCO
SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - The accused killer of a 21-year-old after a 2004 Giants ballgame took the stand Wednesday to claim he killed in self-defense and that he turned himself in after a religious epiphany.
Rafael Cuevas, 26, was taken into custody at the Mexican border about two weeks after he allegedly stabbed Timothy Griffith, of Redwood City, during a fight in a parking lot behind the Giants’ ballpark on the night of Sept. 17, 2004.
The melee started after a celebratory Griffith allegedly smacked the passenger side window of Cuevas’ Toyota Corolla. Cuevas testified that somebody punched him in the throat and kept him in a choke hold while Griffith punched him.
Cuevas said he thought to himself, “If I don’t do something fast, I may never breath again.”
That’s when he pulled out a knife, opened it with a flip of his wrist, and “started swing-ing.” Griffith was stabbed several times and Griffith’s friend Carlos Ortega was allegedly beaten by Cuevas’ friend, Jeffery Skifich.
After the killing, Cuevas went to a party in Union City. Authorities would later find his jacket — which contained a bloody knife, a ticket to the Sept. 17 game and a season ticket to the 49ers in his name — at an intersection near the party.
After learning that Griffith was dead, Cuevas drove with his mother and a friend to Arizona, where they crossed the border into Mexico to meet his grandfather in the city of Magdalena. While in Mexico, Cuevas walked 70 kilometers through the desert in an annual “pilgrimage” in honor of the city’s patron saint.
“I was just praying that I could be forgiven for killing somebody,” he said.
Cuevas, who was one of San Francisco’s 10 most wanted criminals at the time, ended up calling investigators to arrange a surrender. He is charged with murder.
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Examiner ReaderSFPD said:
looks like little sam is talking to investigators about the killing of boobie foster.in a deal with sfpd information is being given in exchange for a liter sentence."stay tuned".looking for Harry "O' where has he disappeared to.Harry was with boobie at 3a.m. the morning of the shooting with others in boobies car.
7 agree | 0 disagree
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Examiner ReaderSFPD said:
murders of ethnic people always go un-solved.the people who have knowledge of who committed them are just as bad when they do not speak. dam it if you are scared to speak call with no name from a pay phone. who tha hell is next your brother,mother,father. this thing of i am a snitch if i tell is bull.
3 agree | 0 disagree
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Examiner ReaderSFPD said:
why hasn't the city closed this eyesore of a carwash at Paul and 3rd Street. IT is an eyesore of the community the Police allow loitering and dope sales. Disabled cars are lined up and by the way do they have a permit to operate.The stink of Marijuana is blowing in the wind all the time and robberies have occurred right at the site.ARE THE COPS SCARED???????????
12 agree | 0 disagree
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Examiner ReaderSFPD said:
this person who calls himself naked is sick.all we can do is pray for him.these illnesses can sometimes be reversed.
16 agree | 0 disagree
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Examiner ReaderSFPD said:
what about the six kids the little boys standing at the gravesite crying as the coffin went down "asking is my daddy coming back"and you brothers call yourself men" lil sam is nothin but a guy who has been trouble all his life his mom works for muni.these kind make it hard for brothers tryin to do somethin with thier lives.these little kids are scarred for life with the memory of how thier dad died.you aint being a man hiding out killers.eventually brothers will know sam and the lowlife people who hang wit him will be better off at cypress,olivet, or in hell.soon there will be revolution and cleansing ib double rock,hp, and bayview decent blacks are getting tired of the hanging on the corner trash,dope smokin ng's, gunshots, kids not being able to play outside.It's nothing to be proud of anymore and life is changing.stay away from lil sam, his father, harry "o" and the likes of BLACK TRASH REvolution in the GHETTO IS COMING"""""
17 agree | 0 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
be on the lookout for a chartuse lexis the car changes colors it might be involved in boobies murder.the boys at the carwash know who did it they walked past that morning.the carwash is a hot spot stay away from this location.
33 agree | 0 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
don't support Sam Jordans club on third street.anything bearing this name is a disgrace.the mayor of "butchertown"that was the elder sam's title.well it still holds up with the children that he gave sperm for.aall those years and they don't even own the building.flush the bayview of dogs like the jordans.
28 agree | 0 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
go get some magazines and take them to bed with you. you are pathetic
4 agree | 0 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
cash reward for information leading to the arrest of person or persons involved in the murder of warren(boobie)foster. no questions asked. contact inspector valerie matthews sfpd homicide unit."you know who one is".
20 agree | 0 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Why is sam jordan jr still not charged for warrens murder he's a snitch anyway and the second person is walking around Double Rock or standing on Hollister in front of the store or at the car wash.everybody better wakeup and sweep the trash off the streets. sam jordan jr(lil sam) nothin but trouble an a snitch like his dad
36 agree | 0 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
naked; no 1 gonna get naked u stupid dis aint a joke
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Examiner Reader said:
Mr.Naked: Picture this lying on the ground gasping for help with none in sight.Not funny is it. Everyboby has to answer to the up above someday.
5 agree | 0 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
fall back stupid crap always winds up on the side of the curb.you wanna play games go stick your self where it hurts.
4 agree | 0 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
i atill wana get naked!!! my penis hard
0 agree | 1 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
we been potrayed as monkies since your mother and mine came on this earth. A killer has no conscience.your kids, your mom, your daughter, your son could be innocent victims of situations like this."GET SMART". Stop Uncle Tomin and stepup.
8 agree | 0 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
stop black on black violence. where dod jesus go? D:
1 agree | 0 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
warren had got into a argument wit lil sam at like 3pm da day b 4 he got shot, so den da nexy day at 6:20 am dey had cum around and plotted errythang out cuz dey knew dat warren went fo a jog alla time around den. so they shot warren nd he fired back nd hit lil sam. the police need to arrest lil sam cuz he knows who shot warren!!!!! GET HIS ASS AND PUT HIM IN JAIL. our community needa get up off our asses nd tell dese people to get to da bottom of dis, the jordan family aint been nuttin but trouble sinde cey lived in hunters point, get dem outta here!
9 agree | 0 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
TELL THE POPO'S TO STOP EATIN DONUTS! AND GET 2 DA BOTTOM OF DIS!
8 agree | 0 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
warren was a guy who sacrificed himself for harry "O" who was the intended.it was probably "flop" who warren refused to give up harry to.flop and harry are nuthin but thugs from way back.to leave these kinds on tha stret only make it hard for others.sneaking up at 6am in the morning to shoot somebody.close down b&j breakfast joint where drama always starts.cleanup double rock a haven of thieves and drugs.warren leaves his kids who cry daily. make a damn arrest get dna flush out shooters. "PEOPLE DROP A DIME". U could B next.this all started about harry o being let out of jail and skippin on a murder of a young guy coming out of a store on Hollister.the police failed and "THEY GOT WARREN SHOT".He refused to give up Harry and they killed him.Now Harrys walkin around.
99 agree | 0 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
i wish the police would stop making statements and make every effort to find out who killed warren!Warren was a great guy and did not deserve to have his life taken! we will greatly miss him he will always be in our hearts.People just assume that this is just another gang shoting in the bayview district but it aint this is a guy that was very down to earth and fun to be around!we will miss the 49ers sundays with you and the barbeques.This is very sad and i know that god see's all and he will take care of warren and take care of this situation!!!!!!we love you warren always!!
9 agree | 0 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Have you heard "Don't believe what you read in the paper?" I sincerely hope for the sake of Jesus Hernandez' family that the Detectives handling his case follow the evidence. Cafe Durange is always crowded and I doubt very much that there was only 5 people at 5PM on Friday, June 13th. So many lies against Jesus in order to make Carlos, Jose and the waitress look innocent. For all the suffering the hurt, the pain, the sorrow and the lies Jesus' family is going through, God will punish those who are talking the lies. May God give Jesus and his family the strength and faith to see justice.
7 agree | 1 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
This article is a good example of how a horrible incident can be sensationalized into dangerous nonsense. Jesus has been closer to me than my own brother and is anything but the rude individual that this story would try to portray him as. Further, the following article that portrays the killer of Jesus as a church going family man is ludicrous. Let's not lose sight of the fact that a good human being was taken away from us before his time. To try and justify this tragedy by saying that anyone was defending anyone else is crazy. The only one that needed defending that evening was Jesus, and sadly that did not happen because this coward used a restaurant knife and ran away. Nothing done that day, and nothing said that day, justifies the death of Jesus. And nothing justifies the ugly untrue remarks made about his character. My sympathies to all who knew Jesus. He was a great man who was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.
8 agree | 1 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I challenge the women (I apologize..girls) that were standing with Germane when he was shot to step foward....
3 agree | 1 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I am very upset about the way the owner of Cafe Durango and Carols Padilla-Ovedio are trying to make Jesus Hernandez look like a bad man. Jesus Hernandez was brought up the old-fashion way to always respect your elders and women. I've never heard Jesus raise his voice, get upset, get angry towards anyone. He was always so polite and soft spoken. He never caused any trouble or problems towards anyone. This is to hopefully let everyone one know that Jesus would never have been rude or say anything insulting to the waitress at the Cafe Durange, in fact I believe it was the other man (Carlos) who made the inapproriate remarks and Jesus was the one who said don't talk to her like that. Jose (the owner) and Carols were involved or wanted to be involved with this waitress and are now trying to destroy Jesus' reputation. My heart goes out to his family having to read these lies about their brother, uncle and son.
8 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Being the Building Manager where Jesus Hernandez lived, I can say that during the 5-6 yrs. he lived here everyone liked him. No matter who he spoke with it was always in a very respectful and polite manner. He had a very soft and plesant voice. Our next door neighbors and neighborhood merchants will miss him. All the people who have made repairs have only good words for Jesus. I cannot believe that Jesus would be saying rude or so-called inappropriate words to the waitress at the Cafe Durango. And please, the waitress was definitely not a damsel in distress but a tease and Jesus was hit by cupid's arrow and became blindly in love to someone who just didn't care about him. Jesus, you will live forever in the memories of your true friends/family. God Bless.
6 agree | 2 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Another murder in District 6 related to club thugs and Supervisor Daly fiddles while the City and our friends die. How in God's name can Daly go to sleep at night...this is like the 4th person in 20 months killed in the 11th/12th street cooridor....how many more must die before this hapless Supervisor gets a hint????? Can't the full Board do something if this District 6 guy refuses.
7 agree | 5 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Perp desc?
4 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
a comment on david martinez....was it true at his funeral palor that they were serving wine and the drinks were laced with a drug?....just curious...heard some people complaining...wanted to know if it was a rumor or true
5 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It the homeless transients who reside near the Honda Service Center on 12th St and Market. They hide in the bushes and the police do not do anything about it. We manage a building at 140 So Van Ness and they are always hanging out waiting to enter the building illegally. You have no idea how much vandelism there is in this area and the police will not beef up the streets
3 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Obviously Stupervisor Daly doesnt....
4 agree | 3 disagree
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SF Fan said:
Rafael Cuevas now claims he was choked. His friends in his car never said he was choked 3 1/2 years ago when SFPD detectives interviewed them. Nor did they come to his aid when the alledged choking took place. Cuevas is looking at a murder conviction so he invents this self-defense theory. And who do they blame? The guy they kicked into unconsciousness who has no memory of the event because of the head injuries they inflicted on him. He stabs a man to death by plunging a knife into the heart of Tim Griffith, now he attempts to commit character assassination on the victim that survived. Nice guy.
8 agree | 6 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It took the police several minutes to arrive at the scene, another two minutes for paramedics, while the restaurant owner located at shooting sight held the victims head where the bullets entered. Next day to return to clean the brain matter and blood on the sidewalk to see approx. 20 bicycle police writing parking tickets. Our Parking Meters are protected better than Human Lives!!!!
6 agree | 4 disagree
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hote said:
San Francisco is overpriced and downright ugly to all but the way overpriviledged 10 per cent of its population. The other 10 percent are about to find out about ugly!
5 agree | 4 disagree
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jimbo said:
Hey Simple: Probation is for people who are let out of jail. Parole is for people who are let out of prison. I think it's PAROLE you want to eliminate.
5 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
There was a guy shot to death on Kirkwood near 3rd Street yesterday, yet no mention of it in the news. Why?
66 agree | 47 disagree
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Simple Solution said:
Do away with probation. It obviously doesn't work and we can't properly support the program. Put the money saved into more prisons.
47 agree | 58 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Is no one safe in this city? No wonder people go to their frontdoors in the middle of the night armed to the teeth. Who can blame them?
179 agree | 176 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
they all need stay where they are at until police cant find no evdience on what happen alot of people would feel safer
161 agree | 143 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
well nobody don't want to see anyone locked up or anything like that it is what your client says out his mouth an what he do around the wrong people what i'm seeing in all of the articles an reading on the news but my questions are if it was to happen to anyone of your family members what would u want done how would you handle this case then think about that right now an then say he didnt do it ...thank you
158 agree | 135 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
im glad they finally got this person. im a mom of 3 and friends with kids in the neighborhood. This is a shock and my thaughts and prayers to the families going threw this terrible tragedy. I am glad they got him and i also use to work at 7-11 and new the women that was mudered by the suspect.
146 agree | 140 disagree
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