VISTA, Calif. -- An ex-convict accused of randomly stabbing a vacationer in the parking lot of an Oceanside shopping center must stand trial on a murder charge, a judge ruled Tuesday.

Eric Russell Andreasen, 37, faces life in prison if convicted of killing 54-year-old Katherine Parker.

The victim -- from the town of Lincoln, near Sacramento -- was visiting family in North County when she was stabbed with a large kitchen knife April 3 while walking to her car at the El Camino North Shopping Center.

Vista Superior Court Judge Aaron Katz ruled there was enough evidence for Andreasen to stand trial and set a May 5 Superior Court arraignment date.

Deputy District Attorney Roy Lai said Andreasen pleaded guilty to attempted grand theft in 2005 and was sentenced to 16 months in prison.

According to court records, Andreasen also spent time at Patton State Hospital and has a robbery conviction from 1991.