A North Park man who stabbed his father’s roommate 16 times has been sentenced to 26 years to life in state prison for first-degree murder.

The sentencing of Jonathan Camp, 40, was moved up a day by San Diego Superior Court Judge Eugenia Eyherabide concerning the 2023 death of John Baquera, 58.

Camp moved in with his father, Robert Camp, on what was supposed to be a temporary basis. The facility was known as Alabama Manor where people over 55 could live, and the son was not on the lease.

Jonathan Camp got into arguments with Baquera over loud music and messiness in the living room as he slept on the couch. Baquera often used a wheelchair. They got into a bitter argument July 2, 2023, and Baquera told him to “get out.”

A seven-man, five-woman jury convicted Camp of first-degree murder on Jan. 21 and also convicted Camp of witness intimidation when he slapped a cellphone out of his father’s hand when he first tried to call police.

Eyherabide gave a 2-year concurrent sentence for the witness intimidation conviction, so it won’t add to his sentence. She imposed 25 years to life for murder plus one year for the use of a knife.

Robert Camp, 67, did not show up for his son’s sentencing. Jonathan Camp was ordered to pay $1,189 for Baquera’s funeral expenses and a $25,000 fine. If Camp gets a job in prison, some of the prison wages will be deducted to pay for the funeral.

As a consequence of the lease violation, Robert Camp had to move from Alabama Manor and is living elsewhere.

Deputy District Attorney Hailey Williams said Camp stabbed Baquera in the abdomen with strikes to his lungs and heart. He was found dead on his bed in his room at 11:55 p.m.

Williams told jurors that calling the father as a witness in the case is “one of the hardest things we’ve ever asked a father to do.”

Camp’s attorney, Katie Nagler, argued to jurors unsuccessfully the crime was voluntary manslaughter and not murder. The judge gave Camp credit for serving 599 days in jail before being sentenced.

Camp will have to serve at least 23 years before he will be eligible for parole, considering his credits.

So he might be in his late 60s or 70s before he could be considered for parole.

Crédito de la foto: Pixabay.com