Conspirator in Slaying of Cat City Store Owner Convicted of Murder

Conspirator in Slaying of Cat City Store Owner Convicted of Murder

A conspirator in the death of a Cathedral City convenience store owner fatally shot during a botched robbery was convicted Tuesday of first-degree murder and other offenses. An Indio jury deliberated more than two days before finding Joel Ortiz Hidalgo, 23, of Desert Hot Springs guilty in the 2021 slaying of 61-year-old Chris Sgouromitis of Cathedral City. Along with murder, the panel convicted Hidalgo of attempted robbery and a special circumst…

INDIO, Calif. (KUNA) – A second man has been convicted in the murder of a Cathedral City convenience store owner who was shot during a botched robbery. Joel Ortiz Hidalgo, 23, of Desert Hot Springs, was found guilty of the 2021 murder of Chris Sgouromitis, 61, of Cathedral City. In addition to the murder charge, Ortiz was found guilty of attempted robbery and other aggravated charges, including knowing another person was carrying a firearm. Jo…