Everett Allen Quaid: Killed in Atascadero in 2009

Kelsey Morasci killed 21-year-old Everett Allen Quaid on Aug. 6, 2009 in an apartment in the 9300 block of Musselman Drive in Atascadero.

A jury of eight women and four men convicted Morasci after a nearly two-week trial in which prosecutor Lee Cunningham said that Morasci’s jealousy led her to kill Quaid after he began dating Morasci’s ex-girlfriend. The jury deliberated for two days.

Morasci was given a maximum sentence of 16 years to life in prison.

Cunningham had argued during the two-week trial that Morasci had the intent to kill, stating that she had grabbed two steak knives after an initial stabbing with a Swiss Army knife and followed Quaid outside.

Morasci’s defense attorney had argued that witness testimony was inconsistent and that there was no proof beyond a reasonable doubt that his client was guilty. Noting that Morasci’s DNA and fingerprints weren’t on the suspected murder weapon, McCormick also cited the CPR that Morasci gave Quaid as he bled profusely after the stabbing as proof that she had no intent to kill him and was acting in self-defense.

Quaid died after his subclavian artery was severed, causing massive internal bleeding before his death Aug. 6, 2009.

Atascadero Police Officer Kellye Diller said that Morasci admitted the crime after her arrest while in jail.

Diller responded to a report of her uncontrolled behavior in jail, she testified, and heard Morasci say that "it doesn't matter" and "I killed him."

Diller said Morasci also said, "He didn't do anything to me" and "He didn't touch me" and "I'm going to be in jail forever." The officer said Morasci literally had blood on her hands when Diller saw her at the jail.

Defense attorney Tom McCormick asked Diller if Morasci was excited or distraught after her arrest and jailing. Diller described Morasci as "upset."

Investigators didn't specify the relationship between Kelsey and the others who were at the Atascadero apartment that night.

But friends of Morasci's who don't want to be identified because of the sensitive nature of the case have told The Tribune that Morasci's ex-girlfriend began dating Quaid -- which angered Morasci.

Atascadero Police Officer Keith Felarios testified that that the ex-girlfriend, who lived in the apartment, was standing about 10 feet away from Quaid when the officer arrived in the early morning hours of Aug. 6.

Felarios said that when he arrived, Quaid was lying on the ground and Morasci was elevating his head from his reclined position.

Two steak knives and a Swiss army knife had blood on them when authorities arrived at the scene of the killing, according to crime scene technician Ryan Enfantino.

Quaid graduated from Paso Robles High School in 2006 and attended Lillian Larsen School in San Miguel.