Death Will Be Sought in Boy’s Slaying

Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against a one-armed man accused of molesting and murdering a 12-year-old La Habra boy, whose body was cut into six parts and found encased in pieces of concrete.

The decision was announced as John Ghobrial, 28, appeared in court to plead not guilty to one count of murder with the special circumstance allegation of murder committed during a lewd act with a child.

Deputy Dist. Atty. David Brent said the decision to seek a death penalty is made by a committee in the district attorney’s office.

“The nature and circumstances of the crime are such that they felt it was appropriate,” Brent said, adding that he was not involved in the decision.

Juan Delgado’s body was found in pieces March 21.

The chunks of concrete were dumped on lawns in surrounding La Habra neighborhoods, including one near the 80-square-foot shack that Ghobrial had rented, where some of the boy’s belongings and a bloody blanket were found.

During a hearing to determine if the Egyptian emigre should stand trial, Deputy Public Defender Ron Klar argued that the lewd conduct allegation, which would have to be proved for the death penalty to be sought, should be dismissed.

Klar argued there was insufficient evidence of sexual motivation, but the judge disagreed.

Ghobrial panhandled outside a market the boy was known to frequent, police said, and would go out of his way to befriend children, offering them candy or paying for them to ride toy animals outside supermarkets.