Jury finds man guilty of murder of Northern California massage parlor employee - East Bay Times

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After nearly two weeks of testimony, a Yolo County jury found a Woodland man guilty of first-degree murder in the death of a Woodland massage parlor employee.

Sarwar, 28, was arrested on Aug. 23, 2018 and charged with the murder of Cottonwood Massage employee and Sacramento resident Junying Lu, 51, two days earlier.

The Thursday verdict also found true allegations of lying in wait and murder in the commission of a burglary. Judge Paul Richardson scheduled a sentencing hearing for Sarwar on Sept. 12. Sarwar faces a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

In Rohail Sarwar’s world, “no” is never an acceptable answer.

That’s how Deputy District Attorney Diane Ortiz summarized her opening statement last month in the Woodland murder case, describing a man who would visit Cottonwood Massage to ask for sexual favors. In at least one instance his thwarted advances sparked a violent response.

Sarwar sat and listened — assisted by a Punjabi-language interpreter — as Oritz laid out the case on Friday with the help of a PowerPoint presentation, which featured crime scene photos, including one of the victim.

Lu’s body was discovered when a customer showed up for their massage appointment.

“He found Ms. Lu lying at the end of the hallway and all he knew was she wasn’t moving,” Ortiz explained, eliciting sobs from a member of the courtroom audience. The scene was covered in blood and there were stab marks on the interior of a door, indicating that “Ms. Lu was trapped inside with the assailant.”

“Unfortunately, she couldn’t escape,” Ortiz said, before listing the numerous wounds Sarwar allegedly inflicted on the masseuse.

Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig was pleased by the quick decision.

He stated that the evidence presented during trial established that in late July or early August of 2018, Rohail Sarwar received a massage in Cottonwood Massage. After the massage Sarwar attacked the masseuse, S.X., demanding sex. After a struggle, Sarwar abandoned the assault and left on foot. That assault had initially gone unreported because the masseuse did not think that she would be believed.

The event started, Reisig reported on Aug. 21 of that year when Sarwar called his mistress, wanting to meet for sex. When she was unable to meet with him, Sawar walked to the CottonwoodPlaza, where Cottonwood Massage is located. Sarwar entered a liquor store, bought a knife, and then monitored the front door of Cottonwood Massage for several minutes. When the only customer inside left, Sarwar entered Cottonwood Massage and requested a massage from Junying Lu, the only employee working inside. While inside Cottonwood Massage Sarwar stabbed Mrs. Lu 14 times, four of which where fatal.

Officers with the Woodland Police Department conducted an extensive investigation. Officers collected video of Sarwar buying the murder weapon, monitoring the entrance to Cottonwood Massage and then entering. Video from a nearby business showed Sarwar walking on Cottonwood Street after the murder, with his hands covered in blood. The victim’s blood was found on clothing at Sarwar’s home and Sarwar’s fingerprint was found in the victim’s blood on the murder weapon.

“This is the type of conduct that tears lives apart,” Reisig said. “We cannot bring Mrs. Lu back to her family, or even imagine the depths of their pain. We only hope that knowing her killer will never be free can bring them a small amount of solace as they continue to mourn the loss of their loving wife, mother, and grandmother.”

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