Another landlord murdered

A London tenant who stabbed his landlord to death in 2020 has been finally convicted of murder.

Mr Daniel Briceno Garcia, 46, murdered the 2 London landlords, which the police described as a horrific “brutal and frenzied attack” on Miss Sonia Butron Calvi, 66, and 60-year-old Edgar Aguilera Daza.

The brutal murders occurred on 1 April 2020, shortly after the government announced the first COVID-19 national lockdown.

The couple was found dead, lying in what the Old Bailey heard was a “bloodbath” at their home in Stockwell, south London. The judge delayed the sentencing, which was adjourned for reports.

Calvi and Daza were subletting rooms at the Dorset Roadhouse to six tenants, including the defendant Garcia.

Prosecutor Mr Tom Little QC told the jury Garcia was concerned about the risks of Covid as well as his ability to pay his rent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Little said: That in itself you may think is understandable. However, it is quite another thing to react to the risks which Covid posed with the use of a knife.”

He added: “What was found at the property can only be properly described as a bloodbath.”

The murder weapon, which is said to be a knife, was found in Garcia’s bedsit.

Garcia admitted manslaughter but denied murder; he claimed he heard voices at the killings in his defence.

The court’s Jurors deliberated for just over 45 minutes to find the defendant guilty of two counts of murder. Judge Mark Lucraft QC adjourned sentencing to a date to be fixed.