A jury found a 64-year-old man guilty today for the stabbing death of another man at a homeless shelter in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood in February 2012, according to the district attorney’s office.
Rickey Leon Scott was found guilty this morning of first-degree murder for the fatal stabbing of 44-year-old Abdul Smith at the St. Vincent de Paul Society’s homeless shelter at 525 Fifth St. around 7 p.m. on Feb. 6, 2012.
Scott stabbed Smith once in the heart with a knife during a fight at the shelter, according to prosecutors.
Smith was taken to a hospital where he died a short time later.
Scott fled the scene but was found about 10 minutes later at Fourth and Bryant streets where he was arrested.
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Man convicted of homeless shelter murder [Chron]
Witnesses at the shelter helped identify Scott as the stabber.
Officers searched for hours for the murder weapon and ultimately found it on a rooftop where Scott had attempted to hide, according to prosecutors.
After a one-month trial, the case went to the jury on Tuesday.
Scott has had previous run-ins with the law, according to prosecutors, and has a rap sheet dating back to 1968.
He is due back in court Monday for post-trial motions.
Sasha Lekach, Bay City News
