Teen Ordered to Stand Trial Over Friend's Fatal Stabbing

A 19-year-old Turlock resident has been ordered to stand trial in the fatal stabbing of his friend in Belmont in April, San Mateo County prosecutors said Thursday.

Timothy Guerra went before San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Richard DuBois on Wednesday for the preliminary hearing, where three prosecution witnesses testified and Guerra’s side presented no evidence, prosecutors said.

Guerra moved in March to Belmont where the victim, 19-year-old College of San Mateo student Denis Meshchyshyn, was living. The two became friends through mutual acquaintances, according to prosecutors.

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Guerra allegedly had a dispute with Meshchyshyn over $10 about a week before the killing, prosecutors said.

Guerra gave $10 to the victim, who promised to give Guerra a ride to a concert. Guerra allegedly became angry because Meshchyshyn did not follow through on the promise, prosecutors said.

District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said Guerra’s anger over the money and promise may have been a motive in the killing.

Guerra learned that his friends would be visiting with the victim behind the Wendy’s restaurant at 698 Ralston Ave. on April 25, according to prosecutors.

Guerra came to the gathering and allegedly stabbed Meshchyshyn multiple times in the abdomen and back, prosecutors said.

The victim died at Stanford Hospital, according to prosecutors.

Guerra fled after the attack and authorities arrested him on April 29 in Turlock, prosecutors said.

Guerra is being held without bail and will appear in court again Oct. 8, prosecutors said.

His attorney Mara Feiger was not immediately available to comment on the case.

--Bay City News Service, photo courtesy of the San Mateo Sheriff’s Department