Fresno Man Sentenced to Life for First-Degree Murder
Ashton Henry Dejean III receives a 51-year-to-life sentence after a fatal stabbing incident.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Violence
A Fresno County Superior Court judge has sentenced 44-year-old Ashton Henry Dejean III to 51 years to life in prison. Dejean was convicted of first-degree murder for the death of 45-year-old Manuel Lopez Jr.
Why it matters
The sentencing follows a jury conviction that accounted for Dejean's history of violence and the brutal nature of the crime. The outcome removes a repeat offender from the community while addressing his long criminal record.
Ashton Henry Dejean III received 51 years to life for first-degree murder, which includes a one-year enhancement for use of a deadly weapon. Dejean, who has five prior felony convictions, will be eligible for parole after 20 years.
The players
Ashton Henry Dejean III
The 44-year-old defendant was convicted of murder and has five prior felony convictions on his record.
Manuel Lopez Jr.
The 45-year-old victim suffered 16 stab wounds during the fatal confrontation.
Fresno County Superior Court
The judicial body presided over the trial and delivered the final sentencing in the criminal case.
The details
Dejean stabbed Manuel Lopez Jr. 16 times following a confrontation near Blackstone and Griffith avenues. He subsequently attempted to hide his involvement by discarding a bloodstained sweatshirt and the knife in a restaurant restroom.
Timeline
2020: Dejean received a prior strike conviction for assault with a deadly weapon.
October 31, 2025: Dejean murdered Manuel Lopez Jr.
July 27, 2026: A jury returned a guilty verdict against Dejean.
October 28, 2026: The court sentenced Dejean to prison.
Legal Context
This sentencing reflects the ongoing application of California's Three Strikes law, which mandates harsher penalties for defendants with prior serious violent felony records. It highlights the state's judicial approach to recidivism by incorporating previous strike convictions into the total sentencing calculation.
The resolution of this case concludes the immediate threat posed by the defendant to local residents. The prosecution's success in this trial reaffirms the current security protocols for addressing violent crime in the Fresno area.
The takeaway
This case emphasizes the long-term legal consequences for individuals with repeated violent felony convictions. It serves as a reminder of the judicial system's focus on historical conduct when determining sentences for current offenses.
Further reading
Learn more about local safety issues in the Fresno violence section.
