Rancho Bernardo man sentenced in fatal stabbing of stepfather

A man convicted of murdering his stepfather by stabbing him more than 100 times at their Rancho Bernardo home was sentenced Thursday to 26 years to life in state prison.

Pablo Johnson, 27, was found guilty by a San Diego Superior Court jury of killing 61-year-old Michael Johnson at their Caminito Campana condo on the evening of Jan. 28, 2024.

According to trial testimony, the victim sustained over 100 stab wounds and cuts, mostly to his head, face and neck.

A woman walking her dog just before 6 p.m. saw a bloody Michael Johnson draped over the railing of the home’s patio and called 911. Officers arrived a short time later and arrested Pablo Johnson, while Michael Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jurors convicted Johnson of first-degree murder, plus an allegation of using a knife in the killing.

Deputy District Attorney Cassidy McWilliams argued at trial that the relationship between the defendant and victim had grown contentious over what she said was the defendant’s unwillingness to work or take care of chores around the residence.

Jurors were shown text messages between the pair that displayed escalating arguments over household chores and living expenses, which culminated in a physical altercation one day before the killing.

McWilliams said the defendant attacked his stepfather on Jan. 28, chased him throughout the condo, and stabbed him with enough force to break the knife into multiple pieces.

But Deputy...