Gang Member Gets 27 Years to Life in Killing

A Lake View Terrace gang member who shot a man to death at a Sylmar “sweet 16” party last year was sentenced Tuesday to 27 years to life in prison.

San Fernando Superior Court Judge Ronald S. Coen sentenced John Tanner, 23, after denying a defense motion for a new trial.

Tanner and Jeffrey Evans, 24, also of Lake View Terrace, were convicted last month of murdering John Shaw, 23, as Shaw stood on the front lawn of the house where the party was being held. A third defendant, Dennis Elliot, 24, of Pacoima, was acquitted.

Lew Watnick, Tanner’s lawyer, on Tuesday requested a new trial for his client, saying the jury’s verdicts in the cases against the three men were inconsistent. He said the three defendants’ joint trial weakened his defense of Tanner because he was unable to subpoena Evans and Elliot as witnesses.

Coen, however, said he believed that the convictions were proper.

During the eight-week trial, Deputy Dist. Atty. Edward Nison argued that Tanner, Evans and Elliot approached Shaw in May, 1988, as he stood with other guests in front of the home in the 14900 block of Aztec Street.

Evans was said to have asked the party-goers if they were affiliated with gangs. Shaw replied that he was not. Tanner interpreted that as a slight and shot Shaw in the back, Nison said.

Earlier this month, Coen sentenced Evans to 31 years to life in prison for the Shaw murder and for his role in a drive-by shooting earlier that night. Four shots were fired at Cedric Finley, 20, of Pacoima. He was unhurt.