OJAI : Man Gets 15 Years to Life for Slaying

A Los Angeles man was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison Friday for strangling a prostitute and dumping her body in the mountains north of Ojai.

Louis H. Gary, 43, a computer programmer, had pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Najat Chehade, 28.

According to a probation report, Chehade was a prostitute whom Gary frequently hired and eventually invited to be his roommate.

On Dec. 16, 1990, she persuaded him to drive her to Ojai, where she was to pay off a dealer who had sold her heroin.

The two made a wrong turn and found themselves heading up California 33 into the mountains above Ojai, according to Gary’s probation report.

An argument ensued and Gary strangled Chehade, the report said.

Her body was found alongside the road the next day.

In her pocket were keys that led investigators to Gary.

Several psychiatrists interviewed Gary and determined that he suffered from a personality disorder. Gary told the probation investigator that the anti-depression drug Prozac had caused him to commit the crime.

In sentencing Gary, Ventura County Superior Court Judge Lawrence Storch asked prison officials to place him in a facility where he can get treatment for his mental problems.