Jury Finds Man Guilty in 1991 Murder : Courts: He is convicted in strangulation of business partner because of ‘bad blood’ between them.

SANTA ANA — A Fullerton businessman was convicted Thursday of strangling his business partner in 1991 and dumping her body in the desert.

An Orange County Superior Court jury deliberated two days before convicting Richard W. Lockridge, 41, of first-degree murder in the July, 1991, death of Kim Martello.

Martello, 28, of Fountain Valley disappeared July 22, 1991, and her body was found several days later near Palm Springs.

Authorities said she was murdered in the warehouse at ERB Foods in Fullerton in a dispute over ownership of the supply company.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Christopher J. Evans argued at trial that Lockridge killed Martello because of “bad blood” between the pair.

“This jury did an excellent job at piecing together all the evidence that the Fullerton Police Department collected, which clearly showed Mr. Lockridge did it,” Evans said after the verdict.

Lockridge has maintained his innocence, contending that someone else killed Martello. His defense attorney did not return a phone call seeking comment Thursday.

He faces 25 years to life in prison when he is sentenced Jan. 20.