Jose Castillo-Cisneros, 3, nicknamed Pepe, was killed in May 2016.
Last week Clark County Superior Court Judge Robert Lewis found Ricardo Gutierrez guilty for the premeditated, first-degree murder of a vulnerable victim for the death of 3-year-old Jose Castillo-Cisneros, nicknamed Pepe.
Gutierrez beat and stabbed 3-year-old Pepe, in May of 2016, before being detained by Battle Ground police. Pepe later died from the injuries.
Officers were dispatched after a panicked 911 call came from Pepe’s 9-year-old sister, who stated over the phone that Gutierrez was beating Pepe and that Pepe was in a "big puddle of blood and was not breathing."
When the police arrived, they detained Gutierrez and attempted to revive Pepe until police backup and medical personnel arrived.
Gutierrez was not related to Pepe, but was dating his mother, Yadira Cisneros, and living in their home at the time.
Gutierrez was also found guilty for second-degree assault for physical damage he caused Cisneros as she tried to stop him from beating Pepe. Detectives saw injuries on her arms, legs and neck according to court documents.
Gutierrez was reportedly upset that Pepe would not stop crying about a movie he was watching. In an interview with detectives, Gutierrez said he didn't remember assaulting Pepe and that he has blacked out in the past when angry.
Gutierrez’s sentencing is set for Feb. 13.
