Long Beach Stabbing Results in Conviction of Man for Voluntary Manslaughter

A man was found guilty on Friday of voluntary manslaughter after he chased and fatally stabbed a man who had confronted him in the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach. The jury in Long Beach deliberated for about a day before acquitting Sergio Alvarez, who was represented by his attorney claiming self-defense, of the more serious charge of second-degree murder. However, jurors did find him guilty of using a knife to stab the victim and dissuading a witness from reporting the crime. Alvarez was also convicted of petty theft instead of second-degree robbery for taking the victim’s belongings.

Superior Court Judge Richard M. Goul scheduled Alvarez’s sentencing for July 21, but the type of sentence he will receive has not yet been determined.

Norman, the victim’s father, expressed his sorrow outside the court after the verdict, saying, “This has been a difficult week. I don’t think he deserved to die like this… We’re really going to miss him.”

In her closing argument, Deputy District Attorney Jacqueline Mac told jurors that Alvarez chased Gavin down and stabbed him in the street without being in any immediate danger. Mac argued that Alvarez did not reasonably believe his life was at risk and went as far as stabbing Clason twice while he was already on the ground. Mac also mentioned that Alvarez tried to cover up the incident by instructing a co-worker not to report it and by shaving his hair.

However, Defense attorney Joe Gibbons presented a different perspective, emphasizing that his client, who is 5’1″ tall and 122 pounds, was confronted by Clason, who was 5’11” tall and 190 pounds, and exhibited erratic behavior, later determined to be heavily intoxicated. Gibbons argued that Alvarez, being the smaller and more vulnerable person, had a right to be scared and to defend himself. He admitted that his client had indeed stabbed Clason but maintained it was a reasonable action given the circumstances.

Gibbons also questioned the prosecution’s case on the robbery charge, claiming that it was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt. He left it up to the jury to decide whether Alvarez attempted to dissuade a witness from contacting the police. In her rebuttal argument, Mac countered that Alvarez’s actions were driven by anger rather than self-defense. She mentioned the availability of surveillance videos for the jury to review, which captured the initial confrontation and the subsequent stabbing.

The incident resulted in the death of Gavin Clason on the sidewalk in the 3900 block of East Ocean Boulevard.

Alvarez was arrested the day after the incident and has been in custody since then, according to jail records.