People v. Gonzales, et al. California Supreme Court Ruling

Defendants, John Anthony Gonzales and Michael Soliz, members in a Hispanic street gang in the City of La Puente, were convicted of first degree murder of Lester Eaton (count 1), Elijah Skyles (count 2), and Gary Price (count 5). The jury found true the special circumstance allegations of multiple murder and murder during the commission of robbery. At the penalty phase, the jury returned a verdict for life without the possibility of parole for Gonzales for counts 4 and 5 and hung on all other penalty phase verdicts. At the penalty phase retrial, a new jury returned a verdict of death for Gonzales on count 1, a verdict of life without the possibility of parole for Soliz on count 1, and a verdict of death for Soliz on counts 4 and 5. Numerous issues were raised on automatic appeal. The court addressed pretrial issues, guilt phase issues, and penalty phase issues and ultimately affirmed Gonzalez's and Soliz's convictions and sentences.

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