Deliberations Begin in Trial of Felon Accused of Fatally Punching Man

Deliberations Begin in Trial of Felon Accused of Fatally Punching Man

Jury deliberations began Tuesday in the trial of a convicted felon accused of fatally punching a 31-year-old man for trying to take one of his beers without permission in a downtown Riverside parking lot. Mike Mendez, 38, of Riverside allegedly caused the death of George Ryan Sifontes of Rialto in 2023. Mendez is charged with assault resulting in great bodily injury and a sentence-enhancing allegation of causing injuries that left the victim com…