Norwalk Man Convicted in Shooting of Store Clerk

A Norwalk man was convicted Tuesday of the videotaped shooting death of a La Habra 7-Eleven clerk, killed on his 44th birthday as he pleaded for his life.

After two days of deliberation, the jury found Noel Uriel Vargas Jr., 21, guilty of one count of first-degree murder in the death of Nirmal Singh and one count of second-degree robbery.

The panel of seven women and five men, which also found Vargas guilty of the special circumstance of committing the crimes simultaneously, now must decide whether he should be executed for the crime, as the prosecution is seeking. The penalty phase of the trial is set to begin Monday.

Vargas, whose area code, 310, is tattooed behind his left ear, shook his head several times and smiled as the verdict was read. Several of his relatives sobbed and had to leave the courtroom. They would not speak to reporters.

He is the second of two Los Angeles County street gang members charged with Singh’s killing on Aug. 21, 1995. Benjamin Perez, who according to court testimony told Vargas to pull the trigger, was sentenced to 26 years to life in state prison in December 1996.

A videotape of the shooting, caught on the store’s surveillance camera, was broadcast on television and led to the arrest of Vargas. It was also shown several times during the trial.

Singh, a resident of Fullerton, had been working at the convenience store for just two weeks and was on his first night shift when he was killed. He had emigrated from India’s Punjab region in 1993 with his wife and three children.

Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth Henderson said she was pleased with the verdict but would not comment further. During the trial, prosecutors had presented evidence that Vargas told several friends and his brother that he had killed Singh.

Gary Pohlson, Vargas’ lawyer, also would not comment.