Second Trial Begins in 1984 Slaying of 5
Trial began Monday for a second reputed gang member charged with shooting to death five teen-age party-goers in what police describe as the bloodiest incident of gang violence in Los Angeles history.
In her opening statment, Deputy Dist. Atty. Deborah Kass told jurors that the evidence will prove that Fred Knight, 22, was one of two gunmen who opened fire with a rifle and shotgun at a birthday party outside a 54th Street home in South Los Angeles on Oct. 12, 1984.
Five teen-agers were killed and five others were wounded in the incident.
Knight has pleaded not guilty. He could receive the death penalty if convicted.
Keith Fudge, 23, was convicted of the murders in August, 1987, and sentenced to die in the California gas chamber at San Quentin Prison.
An alleged driver in the case, Harold Hall, 22, faces a separate trial.
Prosecutors said the shootings resulted from intense hatred between rival gangs.
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