Sacramento Man Convicted Of Murdering Son In 2013 With Hatchet

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - A Sacramento man has been found guilty in the murder of his 9-year-old son with a hatchet in 2013.

Phillip Raymond Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder, with enhancements for using a weapon, in his son's death.

Sentencing is set for May 1.

On February 26, 2013 a relative at the family's home on Atrisco Circle in Natomas called 911 just before midnight Tuesday, saying the boy had died.

Police and firefighters arrived at the home and found Matthew Hernandez dead from blunt force trauma to the head. Police were told the boy's father, 36-year-old Phillip Hernandez, was to blame.

Hernandez was arrested about 15 minutes later walking near Azevedo Drive and W. El Camino Avenue.

According to Sacramento Police Department spokesperson Michelle Gigante, Hernandez was in the backyard of his home when he grabbed a hatchet, broke through a sliding glass door of the home and stood over his son, who was sleeping on a couch. An adult family member heard the crash, came downstairs and tried to stop Hernandez, but was shoved aside. Hernandez then attacked his son.

A second son, 12, was also in the home at the time. He was unharmed.

Court documents reveal the father was in a long custody battle to keep his sons. Their mother won full custody in 2006 after Hernandez landed in jail for beating her.

After his release, Hernandez fought for custody, writing the judge, "It's been over three years since I last saw them...they are what matter, my view of life and what is important...I love them with all of my heart and I want to give what I didn't have...a father."

In 2009, the boys' mother gave Hernandez custody, saying she wasn't financially able to support them.

In 2012, she fought to get them back.

Hernandez faces a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in prison.