Presiding Judge Robert C. Naraja earlier found Saluta guilty of disturbing the peace.
Saluta, an unemployed father of five small children, is facing a maximum jail sentence of 10 years for the assault, and six months for disturbing the peace, the prosecution said.
His sentencing was scheduled for Aug. 16 and he remains out on bail.
Chief Prosecutor Michael Ernest said, “We respect the jury’s verdict and thank them for their service. We look forward to moving toward sentencing on or about Aug. 16, 2011”
He also commended Assistant Attorneys General Benjamin Petersburg and Peter Prestley who prosecuted the case.
Prestley told the Variety they were “very happy” and commended the Department of Public Safety.
Prestley said Assistant Public Defender Douglas Hartig, who represented Saluta, “did a great job.”
When sought for comment, Saluta said he was “disappointed” with his counsel.
Hartig “did not fight for me,” he added.
Saluta said his counsel also prevented him from presenting his lighter as evidence.
He said he may file an appeal.
Hartig earlier argued that his client was not armed with a knife, and there was no knife used in attacking Alejandro Orellano.
Saluta told jurors that at the time of the incident, he was holding his lighter which he described as a “shining metal.”
Hartig told the Variety that he could not discuss or dispute in the media what Saluta said, adding he was “still on the case.”
