Fairfax City man guilty in killing

A Fairfax City man was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter Monday morning for the August 2008 stabbing death of another man inside a Fairfax City house.

The slaying of Adulio Morales-Bonilla, 36, inside a house on Cedar Avenue behind Paul VI Catholic High School, attracted attention when five men were jailed without bond as material witnesses in the case. Prosecutors said they reluctantly obtained warrants for the witnesses to ensure they would be available for trial, and all were eventually released.

Juan de Dios Morales, 39, was arrested within hours of the slaying and charged with murder. Prosecutors said he claimed the stabbing was in self-defense during a dispute over a card game. He was not related to the victim.

Juan Morales entered an Alford plea, meaning he did not admit guilt but acknowledged there was enough evidence to convict him. Prosecutors agreed to reduce the murder charge to voluntary manslaughter and ask for a sentence of no more than five years.

Fairfax Circuit Court Judge Robert J. Smith accepted the plea, found Morales guilty and set sentencing for June 25.

-- Tom Jackman