Man Gets Life Term for Killing Friend’s Parents
- Share via
A former high school honors student convicted of killing his best friend’s parents was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without parole.
Gerald Johnson, 21, of Villa Park was found guilty in March of murder and the special circumstance of multiple murder in the deaths of Jose and Elena Najera.
The Najeras were stabbed to death Dec. 28, 1999, as they slept in their Garden Grove home.
The prosecution linked Johnson to the murders with DNA evidence found on a ski cap discovered under the couple’s bed. The defense had argued that the killings were committed by the couple’s son, Jose Jr., who has not been charged.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
