Tulare man, 21, found guilty in elderly man’s beating death

A 21-year-old Tulare man was found guilty Monday of first-degree murder during a robbery and faces life in prison without the possibility of parole, the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office said Monday.

Early on July 5, 2013, Brandon McDuffie broke into the home of Manuel Alves, 69, of Tulare. Before the crime, he told his girlfriend and brother he needed money, police said.

He hit Alves several times in the face and head, causing his death, investigators said. McDuffie ransacked the home, stealing a phone, safe, jewelry, television and other things. Police traced the phone to McDuffie’s home and found the property in his room.

The jury also found him guilty of first-degree residential burglary and robbery.

McDuffie will be sentenced Nov. 6.

Deputy District Attorney Mitch Niayesh prosecuted the case and Tulare police Sgt. Timothy Ramirez investigated it.

This story was originally published September 28, 2015 at 5:39 PM with the headline "Tulare man, 21, found guilty in elderly man’s beating death."