Man Convicted for 3rd Time in Bludgeon Death

A 34-year-old Sherman Oaks man Tuesday was convicted for the third time of the 1979 murder of a transient in the parking lot of a Van Nuys bar.

The jury in Van Nuys Superior Court deliberated half a day before convicting Edmund Arthur Asbury, a former tow-truck operator, of second-degree murder in the bludgeoning death of John Jackson, 58. Jackson, who lived at a Salvation Army shelter, was beaten to death with a 4-by-4 board while sleeping in his car in May, 1979, testimony revealed.

Asbury had twice been convicted of first-degree murder in the slaying, but the verdicts were overturned by the state Court of Appeal, which ruled that he received incompetent counsel at both trials. The appeals also prompted prosecutors to reduce the murder charge to second-degree.

Police testified that Asbury was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving within an hour of the murder and was carrying the victim’s wallet and car keys.

Asbury’s clothes were splattered with blood, police said.

Asbury at first told police that he stumbled upon the murder scene after leaving a bar in the early morning.

Two days later, Asbury admitted to police that he killed Jackson, according to taped statements played at the trial.

Asbury could receive a maximum of 16 years to life in state prison when he is sentenced Monday by Judge Darlene Schempp. He has been incarcerated since his 1979 arrest.