Defendant Convicted for Murder by Lying in Wait

May 12, 2017 |  

A Sacramento man previously convicted on sexual assault charges in 1994 was convicted in the stabbing death of a victim he had been romantically interested in.

In a bench trial that concluded today, Judge Michael Bowman found Timothy Varmall guilty for the murder of  Smurti Patel while lying in wait. 

According to evidence, between September 2014 and February 2015, Varmall followed and planned “coincidental” run-ins with Ms. Patel to make her think favorably of him. His purpose during those months was to find the best opportunity to kill Ms. Patel. 

On February 9, 2015, Varmall stalked Ms. Patel and followed her onto a light rail train, and as they they exited, Ms. Patel spotted Varmall and agreed to walk with him. As they walked across a dark lot, Varmall stabbed Ms. Patel seven times. 

Varmall fled the area while Ms. Patel staggered across the street to a restaurant, where medics were called to the scene. Ms. Patel died from her wounds on February 13, 2015. 

Varmall confided in one of Ms. Patel’s friends that he murdered her because he was romantically interested in Ms. Patel and she rejected him. The Court also found true that Varmall suffered two prior strike convictions for purposes of the Three Strikes Law. 

Sentencing is scheduled for June 9, 2017 and Varmall faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.