VAN NUYS : Man Convicted in Killing of Card Player

A Superior Court jury convicted a Van Nuys man Friday of first-degree murder for shooting a card player during a robbery in a Van Nuys park nearly two years ago.

The same panel will reconvene Wednesday to hear testimony to determine whether Lanell C. Harris, 26, should die in the gas chamber or spend the rest of his life in state prison.

Harris shot 51-year-old Julian Contreras on Aug. 7, 1991, when he and an accomplice broke up a card game at the Van Nuys Recreation Center. Testimony during the trial indicated that Harris, armed with a handgun, approached a group of men playing cards and demanded their money.

Witnesses testified that Contreras was shot when he hesitated to turn over his wallet.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Shellie Samuels presented testimony from five eyewitnesses who said Harris was the assailant. Three other men said Harris admitted the shooting to them.

The defense in the case was based on inconsistencies among the stories given by the eyewitnesses. Defense attorney Michael Gottlieb also called into question the motivations of the three men who testified that Harris admitted the killing. One now stands to collect a $15,000 reward from the Los Angeles City Council because he brought his story to police three hours after the award was announced.

Harris was also convicted of attempted murder and three counts of robbery related to the park slaying.

The panel could not reach a decision on whether Harris used a butcher knife to kill 35-year-old Marta Rodriguez at a Winchell’s Donut House in South-Central Los Angeles on Jan. 3, 1991, as her daughter looked on. Jurors reported they split 10 to 2 on this count, but they did not indicate which way they were leaning.

The penalty phase of the trial, which begins Wednesday, will feature testimony from character witnesses.