Son accused of stabbing mother to death in Saugus: ‘I’m not guilty!’

A 24-year-old man accused of fatally stabbing his mother in her Saugus home was charged Wednesday with murder.

Jesse Lucatero pleaded not guilty and remains in custody in lieu of $2 million bail.

He is due back in a San Fernando courtroom on Oct. 20, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial for the death of Maria Acevedo.

The stabbing was reported about 12:50 p.m. Monday in the 19500 block of Castille Lane.

Lucatero’s father found the 56-year-old victim’s body, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lucatero, who was said by authorities to have mental issues, was taken to the sheriff’s Santa Clarita Station for questioning and later booked, according to Deputy Crystal Hernandez.

Sheriff’s deputies had been called to the home before, according to broadcast reports.

If convicted of the murder charge and a knife allegation, Lucatero could face up to 26 years to life in state prison, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

–City News Service 

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