Rosemont man convicted in 2023 Rancho Cordova light rail stabbing death
A Rosemont man faces 31 years to life in prison after a Sacramento Superior Court jury convicted him Thursday of second-degree murder in a fatal stabbing at a Rancho Cordova light rail station nearly three years ago.
Roderick Earl Sowells, 59, was convicted in the Aug. 12, 2023, killing of David Marcus Jones, 29, of West Sacramento, according to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said Sowells got into an altercation with Jones’ friend after exiting a light rail train at a station along Folsom Boulevard. The friend threw a glass bottle at Sowells, who then pulled out a sharp object and challenged him to a fight.
When the friend walked away, Sowells turned to Jones and stabbed him 18 times, prosecutors said.
Sowells remains held in Sacramento County Main Jail awaiting sentencing on July 17.
At sentencing, the court will determine whether Sowells’ prior sexual assault conviction qualifies as a strike under California’s “three strikes” law and whether aggravating factors apply.
