Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of Los Angeles, California and the U.S.

March 17, 2008

Azusa Gang Member Convicted of Murdering Four; Prosecutors Seeking Death Penalty

LOS ANGELES – A Superior Court jury who yesterday convicted an Azusa gang member of murdering three people returned a final guilty verdict in the case today -- determining that he murdered a woman he believed was a “snitch” in 2003.

The final verdict in the case was returned this afternoon. The jury returns to court on Monday for the start of the penalty phase of the trial. Deputy District Attorneys Michele Hanisee and Ian Phan of the Hardcore Gang Division are asking the jury to recommended death for Ralph Steven Flores, 26.

The jury convicted Flores of the first-degree murders of Christopher Lynch in 1999, Miguel Reyes and Fenise Luna in December 2004, and Claudia Rosio Chenet in 2003. Chenet’s murder was the last verdict returned by the jury.

In the Lynch murder, the jury found true the special circumstance that the victim was killed because of his race. Lynch, who was 16 when he was shot to death, was African-American.

The jury also found true the special circumstances of murder related to a street gang, robbery murder, torture murder and multiple murders.

Besides the murder counts, Flores additionally was convicted of assault with a firearm and carrying a loaded firearm while being the active participant in street gang activity.

The crimes occurred in the Azusa area. Two co-defendants previously were convicted in the case. One was convicted of one of the murders and the other pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in another of the deaths. Neither has yet been sentenced.

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CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER

JOSEPH SHEMARIA

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Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of Los Angeles, California and the U.S.