A 32-year-old man has been found guilty of voluntary manslaughter and other charges related to the death of a grocery store employee in Bakersfield, California. Demetrius Ford was convicted by a jury on Friday after a senseless altercation in the parking lot of a local grocery store, resulting in the death of 54-year-old Juan Urvina.
The Incident
The tragic events unfolded on January 1, 2023, just before midnight, when Ford and a friend went to Superior Grocer in Bakersfield to buy drinks for a party.
However, the store was closed to the public. After realizing the store was locked, Ford backed his vehicle into the parked truck of an employee, Juan Urvina, who was waiting for his midnight shift to begin.
A brief verbal exchange took place between Ford and Urvina outside of the vehicle, during which Urvina reportedly used his phone to take a picture of Ford’s car.
This seemingly minor act angered Ford, and he approached Urvina, beginning to physically assault him. Other employees of the grocery store, who were in the parking lot at the time, arrived to intervene. Ford’s friend also joined the fight.
Deadly Consequences
One of the employees, 54-year-old Juan Urvina, was reportedly acting as a peacemaker during the altercation. Ford, however, threw Urvina to the ground and focused his attention on another worker. As Ford and his friend continued to assault another employee, Urvina attempted to step in and help.
Before Urvina could assist, Ford punched him forcefully in the face, causing Urvina to immediately lose consciousness. He fell backward, striking the back of his head on the concrete surface.
Urvina was rushed to a nearby hospital but tragically never regained consciousness. He was declared dead the following day.
The Conviction and Statement from Prosecutors
Ford was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, and involuntary manslaughter.
Prosecutors described Ford’s actions as “senseless and tragic,” noting that Ford’s decision to violently assault an older and smaller man, despite having a clear physical advantage, reflected a complete disregard for the value of Urvina’s life.
Kern County Assistant District Attorney Joseph Kinzel emphasized the severity of Ford’s actions, stating that Ford’s violent behavior toward three employees, without provocation, made the situation especially tragic. Ford now faces up to 11 years in prison, with his sentencing scheduled for August 19.
Ford’s Arrest and Prior Statements
Ford was initially arrested five days after the altercation but was released while additional investigation took place. He was rearrested on May 30, 2024. When questioned by law enforcement, Ford admitted to being drunk at the time of the fight and blamed the altercation on someone “talking s—.”
