Defendant Convicted of Murder, Attempted Murder of Homeless Men in Sacramento

November 3, 2016 |  

A Sacramento Superior Court jury found Kenneth Hill guilt on charges of murder and attempted murder in a trial that concluded today. 

Hill was convicted for the first-degree murder of Luis Cortez and the attempted murder of Hwan Chong causing great bodily injury. The jury found true allegations that Hill used a deadly weapon on both charges. 

In a separate proceeding, the jury found that Hill was sane at the time he committed both crimes. 

On August 16, 2015, Hill was homeless when he sliced the neck of Hwan Chong, who was also homeless and mentally ill. Mr. Chong received stitches for his injury and Hill claimed that Chong attempted to rape him, and he was defending himself. 

On October 19, 2015, Hill stabbed another homeless man, Luis Cortez, killing him. Hill again claimed that Cortez attempted to rape him. 

Hill had initially pled not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity. He now faces a maximum potential sentence of 39 years to life in prison. 

Sentencing is set for December 2, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. in Department 23 before Judge Richard Sueyoshi.