San Diego
A Los Angeles gang member convicted of murder and attempted murder in a 1989 machine-gun firing in East San Diego was sentenced Wednesday.
Tommy Ray Brown, 27, was given 30 years to life for the Aug. 13, 1989 killing of Donald Johnson, 32, of Rancho Penasquitos.
San Diego Municipal Judge Patricia Cowett also ordered Brown to serve a life sentence for his conviction of premeditated attempted murder upon Sylvia Wade, 23, who had been a passenger in Johnson’s car.
Additional years were tacked on for his conviction for shooting into a home nearby; for wounding Michelle Grimes, 38, in the shoulder while she was watching television in her living room; for robbing Wade, and for auto theft.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Allen Williams said Johnson was acquainted with Brown, and the shooting spree was believed to be drug-related. Johnson was not a member of a gang.
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