Leighton Verdict Sealed as 2nd Jury Deliberates
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A jury has reached a verdict in the capital murder trial of Kenneth Leighton, accused in the execution-style deaths of two witnesses against him.
Although jurors reached the verdict Monday after 1 1/2 days of deliberation, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Terry A. Green sealed it for one day.
Green said he did so to avoid a possible negative effect on a separate jury deliberating similar charges against co-defendant Randall Williams.
Prosecutors contend that Leighton, 37, plotted the slayings of Jamie Navaroli and April Mahoney--who were witnesses against him in a burglary case--because he mistakenly believed that a conviction would be the “third strike” that would send him to prison for 25 years to life.
They say Leighton enlisted his friend Williams to shoot the couple outside their West Hills home Nov. 4, 1998.
Defense attorneys argued that the witnesses against Leighton and Williams are not credible, because the group includes felons, thieves, drug users and addicts.
Williams, 36, is also charged with first-degree murder. Each man faces a possible death penalty if convicted.
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