Jury Spares Life of Man Who Killed El Cajon Reporter

A jury voted Monday to spare the life of the man who killed Daily Californian reporter Steve Petix.

Instead, the jury recommended that David Weeding, 40, of Santee receive a life sentence without possibility of parole.

After 3 1/2 days of deliberation, the jury rejected the death penalty for Weeding, who was convicted of killing the 31-year-old Petix on May 20, 1988.

Formal sentencing was set for Jan. 8 by San Diego Superior Court Judge Wayne Peterson.

Petix’s brother Mark, also a newspaper reporter, said afterward that he was “very relieved it’s over.”

“I don’t think I would have felt any better with a sentence of death,” Mark Petix said. “As long as this person is not allowed to hurt anyone else, I’m perfectly satisfied. We’ll leave final judgment to God.”

Steve Petix was stabbed five times as he attempted to defend his wife, Vickie, 24, during a rape attempt by Weeding in their El Cajon apartment.

Vickie Petix testified that her husband came home for lunch to find Weeding attacking her, and that she fled as Weeding lunged at him with a knife. Weeding had entered the apartment after claiming to be a repairman.

On Nov. 22, the same jury convicted him of first-degree murder with special circumstances and found that the slaying occurred during a sex crime and a burglary.

Prosecutors seeking the death penalty had presented evidence that Weeding had been convicted of rape four times in Texas in 1975 and 1976 while in the Army.

The jury was told during the penalty phase that he had been released from prison after serving 10 years of a 25-year sentence.

“This is the conscience of the community,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Thomas Whalen said. “I certainly don’t quarrel with their decision.”

Weeding showed little reaction to the sentencing. His mother was present to hear it, but left quickly afterward.

Weeding’s lawyer, Robert Bourne, said, “Basically, we’re very relieved.”

“It means a lot to know he won’t be able to hurt individuals again,” Vickie Petix said.