LOS ANGELES — A man convicted of a shooting on Mother’s Day in 2018 in South Los Angeles that left two 15-year-old boys dead and two other teens wounded was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Jurors found Cristian Ivan Macias, 24, and co-defendants Edwin Federico Loza, 24, and Nancy De La Rocha, 31, guilty July 5 of two counts each of first-degree murder for the May 13, 2018, shootings of La’marrion Upchurch of Long Beach and Monyae Jackson of Los Angeles in the 300 block of West Manchester Avenue near the 110 Freeway.
The panel also found true the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders, along with an allegation that Macias personally and intentionally discharged a firearm.
Jurors also convicted the defendants of one count each of conspiracy to commit murder and two counts each of attempted murder for the shootings of two other 15-year-old boys who were injured.
“Well, I think this was a tragic situation and senseless killing,” Superior Court Judge Lisa B. Lench said just before imposing the sentence on Macias.
Upchurch’s mother, Rasheen Williams, wiped away tears as she told the judge that it’s been a “long journey” with sleepless nights since her son was killed.
Jackson’s brother, Kevonte Watkins, called what had happened a tragedy and told Macias that he hoped he would get what he deserves for his “heinous actions.”
Loza and De La Rocha are also facing life in prison without the possibility of parole. They are due back in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom Oct. 16, when a date is scheduled to be set for their sentencing.
In his closing argument, Deputy District Attorney Brian Chang called the slayings the “result of a calculated plan to kill by the defendants,” alleging that Macias and Loza were gang members and that De La Rocha served as the driver and that a Los Angeles police officer believed she was a gang associate.
The prosecutor told jurors that De La Rocha was initially…
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