A jury on Wednesday found Francisco "Flaco" Martinez guilty of first-degree murder for his role in the killing of Manuel Jesus Campos on a dark road near Ventura in 2005.

The 41-year-old Martinez showed no emotion as the verdict was read.

Jurors also found that he used a weapon — a knife — in the commission of the slaying and that he was lying in wait. Martinez ambushed Campos, 66, on July 4, 2005.

Ventura County Superior Court Judge Edward Brodie set the sentencing date for Sept. 12. Martinez, of Ventura, faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Two other defendants involved in the murder — Campos' wife, Estella Magana, and Magana's daughter Adelina Magana — will be sentenced next Tuesday for their role in the slaying.

Adelina Magana, 19, testified against her mother in May and against Martinez at his trial. In exchange for her testimony, she will be allowed to plead guilty to a reduced felony, voluntary manslaughter.

In May, a jury found Estella Magana, 53, guilty of first-degree murder and lying in wait during the commission of a murder. Jurors also decided she committed the crime for financial gain.

Estella Magana is also facing life in prison without the possibility of parole.

On Wednesday, Senior Deputy District Attorney Stacy Ratner said the jurors made the right decision.

"I am very pleased," Ratner said.

Martinez's lawyer, Anita Candelaria, who is with the county Public Defender's Office, was tearful after the trial. She declined to comment.

During closing arguments, Candelaria said her client was acting in self-defense when he stabbed Campos three times.

Outside the courtroom, Ratner said in an interview that the victim was a hardworking man and loving husband.

"He was working two jobs to support his wife and his step-daughter," she said. "Really, the fact that his wife and her boyfriend chose to take his life the way they did is an absolute abomination. The jury did the right thing in speaking out for him, in finding Mr. Martinez guilty of first-degree murder."

During the trial, Ratner had argued that Martinez intended and planned, months ahead, to kill Campos to please his lover and girlfriend, Estella Magana. She said Estella Magana wanted Campos dead and wanted to keep their house.

According to Ratner, Estella Magana manipulated her daughter and worked with Martinez to lure Campos to a location off Olivas Park Drive as part of a ruse that Magana's van had broken down. As Campos was trying to jump-start the van, Martinez came out of the bushes and attacked him.