Fatal blow identified in Montgomery High School stabbing

A stab wound to the chest was the fatal blow that killed a Montgomery High School junior during a March 1 classroom fight with another student, an expert told a Sonoma County Juvenile Court judge Thursday in the ongoing trial of Daniel Pulido.

Kimi Verilhac, a Sonoma County forensic pathologist, explained the cause of death of Jayden Pienta, the 16-year-old Montgomery High junior, who prosecutors say was killed in that fight.

Pulido, who turned 16 on Oct. 28, is charged as a juvenile with one count each of voluntary manslaughter and having a weapon on campus.

Verilhac testified the chest stabbing was 1½-inches deep. She added that Pienta suffered two other stabbings to his back, including one that was more than 4 inches deep.

The knife used in the killing was never recovered, Verilhac said, adding that Pienta’s wounds didn’t indicate a weapon type, since the force used by the wielder may influence the depth of a stabbing.

Thursday’s testimony concluded with Sonoma County Deputy District Attorney Jason Riehl resting his case after spending six days laying out events before, during and after the stabbing.

He declined to comment Thursday on how his argument should translate to a conviction.

Pulido’s attorney, Jonathan Steele, is scheduled to begin the defense’s case Monday. Closing arguments are expected later in the week.

Steele has maintained that his client’s action involved self-defense. Pulido has denied responsibility and his trial, which began Nov. 2, is expected to last through next week.

Santa Rosa police said Pienta and another 16-year-old boy walked into an art class on March 1 that was not theirs and started a fight with Pulido, who is accused of using a 4- to 5-inch folding knife to stab Pienta once in his chest and twice in his back.

Pienta later died from his wounds at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. The other 16-year-old boy with Pienta also suffered injuries, but his wounds were not considered serious.

Over the past week, prosecutors presented testimony and footage illustrating events that occurred within less than an hour beginning after 11 a.m. March 1.

School surveillance footage showed Pienta and a group of other students followed Pulido to his art class before the fight occurred.The fight, itself, was captured in viral cellphone footage taken by someone who was in the room at the time.

Another surveillance camera caught Pienta running from the classroom, lifting his shirt and revealing a bloody torso. Seconds later, it showed Pulido as he fled from the classroom.

He was filmed leaving campus while followed by the art teacher, Stephanie Hsu. Two other students appeared to be running in his direction.

A home surveillance camera, prosecutors say, next filmed Pulido north of campus on Franquette Avenue, where he met two boys and appeared to hand them something.

Riehl hinted Pulido may have given them the knife used in the stabbing.

Pulido continued north, where Santa Rosa police arrested him in a wooded area at Farmers Lane and Montgomery Drive. This was about 30 to 40 minutes after the stabbing.

The incident led to demands for improved safety across the region as area high school students held walkouts demanding action.

Pienta’s parents, meanwhile, filed a Sept. 12 wrongful death lawsuit against Santa Rosa City Schools alleging officials could have prevented the killing.

They contend Pienta and Pulido were associated with groups with documented hostility, but school leaders never stepped in. They also contend he did not receive proper medical treatment after the stabbing.

You can reach Staff Writer Colin Atagi at colin.atagi@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @colin_atagi