Jury reaches verdict in marine murder trial
A jury has reached a decision in the trial of a man accused of slaying a 20 year old Marine and another man.
Just after 1:30 p.m. in Indio, the jury decided that Emilio Manuel Avalos, 35, is guilty of 1st degree murder in the death of 20-year-old Marine Cpl. Henry Lozano. They also found Avalos guilty for shooting 2 people in 1994, 17 year old Jahi Collins was killed in the attack, his friend Bobby Wilson was shot but survived.
Jurors also found true, a special-circumstance allegation of lying in wait, which makes Avalos eligible for the death penalty.
The jury deliberated for roughly half a day before reaching a verdict. The penalty phase of the trial, during which jurors will recommend either the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole, will start October 22nd.
