A homeless man pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and faces 12 years in prison in the death of a man who was found near Ralph’s in the Uptown District shopping center.

Richard Kenneth Sherman, 30, admitted on Oct. 27 he used a knife to kill Manuel Santiago, 25, who was lying on the sidewalk July 3 at 2:30 a.m. in front of the Great Earth Vitamin store next door to Ralph’s.

Santiago had been stabbed once in the chest and was rushed by ambulance to a hospital, but he died about 30 minutes later.

“He stipulated to a 12-year prison sentence,” said Deputy District Attorney James Simmons.

Attorneys won’t have much to argue about since Sherman agreed to accept 12 years. San Diego Superior Court Judge David Danielsen set sentencing for Dec. 8.

The motive for the slaying appears to be ongoing animosity between the men, and Sherman was seen fighting with Santiago earlier in the evening and on previous occasions, according to testimony in the Aug. 14 preliminary hearing.

Santiago was also homeless, although acquaintances testified he sometimes slept at friends’ homes when he could. A bartender at Rich’s nightclub, which is located across from the shopping center, said he served Santiago a drink the night he was killed.

Sherman admitted to police he stabbed Santiago “out of frustration” after Santiago insisted his skateboard had been stolen.

Sherman admitted he disposed of a folding knife that he used to kill the victim in a canyon, according to testimony.

Santiago was 5-foot-3-inches tall and Sherman stood 5-foot-11-inches tall. A witness said Sherman was much stronger than the victim. Sherman remains in the South Bay Detention Facility on $1 million bail.