Mission Bay Killer Is Convicted
A jury returned a second-degree murder conviction against a 20-year-old San Diego man Monday in the gang-related slaying of a Long Beach girl.
Soulath Baythavong also was convicted of conspiring with five others in the shooting death of 16-year-old Sovaney Onn at the Ski Beach area of Mission Bay.
The victim was shot in the head during a Sept. 23, 1990, confrontation between Laotian and Cambodian gang members, according to testimony during the trial.
Jurors also found Baythavong guilty of 13 counts of assault with a deadly weapon but acquitted him of 13 counts of attempted murder and first-degree murder stemming from shots fired at others with Onn who were not hit.
Superior Court Judge Bernard Revak scheduled an Oct. 13 sentencing for Baythavong, whose five co-defendants are awaiting separate trials.
Attorneys for the remaining defendants have said their clients may plead guilty, depending on the outcome of Baythavong’s case.
Those awaiting trial are Sengphet Khounborin, 20; Sengkham Koulavongsa, 19; Somsack Tangphaseuth, 20; Trung Quoc Tran, 20; and Stephen Kiet Willmore, 19.
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