VAN NUYS : Jury to Decide if Man Gets Death in Killing

A Superior Court jury that convicted a Van Nuys man last week in the fatal shooting of a card player in a Van Nuys park began hearing testimony Wednesday that will help it determine if the killer should be executed for his crime.

Lanell C. Harris, 26, was convicted of first-degree murder for shooting 51-year-old Julian Contreras on Aug. 7, 1991, at the Van Nuys Recreation Center.

The jury found Friday that Contreras was killed during the course of a robbery, a special circumstance allegation that makes Harris eligible to be sent to the gas chamber at San Quentin.

Harris’ defense attorney, Michael Gottlieb, will attempt to convince the panel that Harris should spend the rest of his life in state prison without the possibility of parole, which is the only other sentencing option.

Prosecutors will ask the jury to consider Harris’ criminal history and the fact that he first shot Contreras as the victim stood up during an armed robbery and then shot him twice in the back as he lay bleeding on the ground.

Harris was on parole at the time of the killing and had visited his parole officer the morning Contreras was gunned down.

One of Contreras’ sons, Victor Contreras, told the jury Wednesday how he and his family have been devastated by the slaying.

“I don’t feel the same,” he said through a Spanish interpreter. “I always feel like something is missing. . . . I feel less of a person than everyone else.”

Contreras’ wife of 33 years has also been permanently scarred by the death of her husband, the couple’s son said.

“She’s always crying, she’s always very sad,” Victor Contreras said.

The jury will hear testimony for about one week. Deliberations in the penalty phase of Harris’ trial are scheduled to begin June 28 after the jury hears closing arguments from attorneys.