VISTA, Calif. -- A former Camp Pendleton Marine was convicted Thursday of first-degree murder and torture in the beating and stabbing death of an Oceanside man in a dispute over a classic car.
Raphael Ramey, 21, faces life in prison without parole when sentenced March 14 by Vista Judge Joan Weber. The jury rejected a special circumstance allegation of carjacking and deadlocked on special circumstance allegations of robbery and lying in wait.
Prosecutors said that Charles Evan Williams, 23 was stabbed and slashed more than 50 times on Aug. 23, 2009. According to Oceanside police, Ramey was angry at Williams because a red 1970 Chevrolet Impala for which he paid the victim $12,500 was not ready after being restored.
According to court testimony, Ramey talked about "jacking'' Williams before the murder and bought two knives at a Walmart.
The day of the killing, Ramey told police that he went to get his classic car and stabbed Williams when the victim said it would not be ready for another two weeks. According to court testimony, Ramey told police that Williams was two months behind in delivering the car.
Deputy District Attorney Minaz Bhayani said Ramey bought the knives to kill Williams and brought along another former Marine, Xavier Adams, for added muscle.
Two months before the murder, Ramey started having dreams about what he was going to do to Williams, Bhayani said.
Ramey's attorney, William Stone, said the killing was not premeditated and done in the heat of passion.
Co-defendant Adams, 20, also charged with murder, is scheduled to go to trial next month.
