Garcia Convicted in Fatal Stabbing of Two People

A Lubbock County jury convicts a 29-year-old man on capital murder charges in the fatal stabbing of two people at a Lubbock home in October 2009.

Ruben Garcia was immediately sentenced yesterday to life without parole. The district attorney's office had not sought the death penalty in the case. The jury deliberated little over an hour in a trial that started last Monday, and included six days of testimony from more than 20 witnesses.

Garcia claimed he killed 28-year-old Jessica Hernandez and 28-year-old Rudy Vela in self-defense. State prosecutors said Garcia was already a convicted felon and had a history of violent attacks while in prison.