Man Charged in Death of Witness

Police say Kenneth Leighton was so desperate to avoid a possible life sentence for his “third strike” in the California penal system that he ordered a hit man to kill a witness in his upcoming burglary trial.

The trouble was, Leighton was wrong about his criminal record, police said. He wasn’t facing a life sentence at all--until now.

“Obviously, this guy wasn’t the brightest bulb,” said Los Angeles Police Det. Rick Swanston.

Leighton, 38, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of murder in the November slayings of 36-year-old James Navaroli and his girlfriend, April Mahoney, outside their West Hills home.

Police arrested the alleged gunman--Randall Williams--in December. The investigation turned to Leighton, a longtime friend of Williams.

The two were suspected in several commercial burglaries last summer in the west San Fernando Valley. Williams was never charged, police said. But Leighton had been, and was awaiting trial.

Swanston said detectives have interviewed acquaintances of Leighton who said he was distraught over the burglary charges and the case’s potential outcome.

“People who knew him say he thought it was his third strike,” Swanston said. “And the guy didn’t want to do 30 years.”

Leighton’s lawyer, Ron Lewis, dismissed the notion that his client was involved in a murder to avoid a third strike and life sentence. On the contrary, Lewis said, the burglary case against Leighton was “weak,” and his criminal record consisted of “minor stuff.”

Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles district attorney’s office, declined to comment, other than to say charges had not yet been filed in the case.