Man Accused in Fatal Spring Valley Stabbing Returns to Court

A young man accused of fatally stabbing his mother's boyfriend during a fight at the victim's Spring Valley home was ordered today to stand trial on one count of murder.

After a preliminary hearing at the El Cajon Courthouse, Judge Herbert Exarhos found there was enough evidence to try Thomas Dwayne Guss III, 24, in connection with the death of 40-year-old Irvin Harris, Jr.

Deputies responding to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 8600 block of Taylor Street in Spring Valley found Harris badly wounded shortly before 10 p.m. on April 16.

Paramedics took the victim to Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego, where he died a short time later, according to San Diego County sheriff's homicide Lt. Glenn Giannantonio. Guss fled before deputies arrived but was arrested near the scene the next morning, the lieutenant said.

Deputy District Attorney Cally Bright previously told Judge Charles Ervin that Guss told authorities he remembered most of what happened that night, except the point where Harris was stabbed. Bright said the victim suffered two stab wounds, one in the heart and one in the liver.

The reason for the dispute between the two men remains unclear.

Guss will be back in court Nov. 21 to receive a trial date. He faces 26 years to life in prison if convicted.

-- City News Service