LOS ANGELES : Man Convicted of Murder for Lye Attack on Woman
After acting as his own lawyer in a retrial that rekindled memories of an excruciating death 14 years ago, Ricardo H. Robinson was convicted Thursday of first-degree murder in a 1980 lye attack on an aspiring lawyer.
Besides the murder conviction, the jury also found Robinson guilty of mayhem, conspiracy and assault for attacking Patricia Worrell with a caustic chemical. The jurors, who deliberated for two days, declined to talk about the case.
“Patricia Worrell can finally rest in peace,” prosecutor Robert L. Cohen said. “I’m happy there’s some closure for her friends and relatives.”
Robinson, formerly of Las Vegas, faces 25 years to life in prison when Judge Michael Harwin sentences him Aug. 29.
Robinson’s trial featured gruesome testimony about law student Worrell’s fatal injuries, and appearances by Robinson’s two co-defendants. One implicated him; the other tried to clear him.
Robinson denied any role in the attack during his own testimony and claimed that he was framed.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
