Bradenton murder trial starts Wednesday

BRADENTON -- The prosecution Wednesday will begin presenting its case against the Bradenton man charged in the fatal stabbing of another after a fight at a Bradenton restaurant in October 2014.

Melvin Quevedo, 22, is charged with manslaughter in the slaying of Herman Tabora-Discua. If convicted, Quevedo will face up to 30 years in prison.

At about 9 p.m. Oct. 5, 2014, Quevedo, Tabora-Discua and another man got into a fight at Mami Carmen's Restaurante, 5604 15th St. E. That fight later led to a confrontation in the parking lot of an adjacent pawn shop where detectives say Tabora-Discua punched Quevedo and then Quevedo stabbed him.

After collapsing, Tabora-Discua was taken to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton to be treated. Despite undergoing two emergency surgeries, he died the following day.

Quevedo has been held without bond in the Manatee County jail since his arrest Oct. 7, 2014.

Last week, Quevedo appeared in court before Circuit Judge Susan Maulucci as he was considering entering a guilty plea. After being given a couple days to consider his decision, at his attorney's request, Quevedo opted to still go to trial.

Quevedo's defense previously argued he stabbed Tabora-Discua in self-defense, citing Florida's stand your ground law, but Maulucci disallowed the defense. The decision is being appealed through Florida's Second District Court of Appeal.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter@JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published May 10, 2016 at 11:35 PM with the headline "Bradenton murder trial starts Wednesday ."