MARTINEZ — Contra Costa prosecutors have declined to charge a 40-year-old man who was arrested last year for allegedly stabbing a woman to death during a fight, citing a lack of eyewitnesses and the badly injured suspect’s claims of self-defense.
Cayla Riley, 30, was stabbed in the heart and died on June 15, 2023, during a fight with her significant other on the 2200 block of San Jose Drive in Antioch. Police said at the time that her 40-year-old killer suffered significant injuries, including stab wounds to his back, neck, head and face, lost a significant amount of blood and barely survived the encounter.
The 40-year-old man had a history of domestic violence arrests, including an assault conviction, authorities said. After stabbing Riley he reportedly called 911 and confessed, but claimed he’d stabbed her after she attacked him with a knife and cut him several times.
The District Attorney’s office only recently cleared the man after a review of evidence, authorities said.