Gang Member Convicted of Murder in Echo Park Shootings

After a 17-day trial, jurors deliberated for about three and a half hours before finding Andre Upshaw guilty on all four counts against him: the murder of Eric Zamarripa, 28; the murder of Carlos Gonzalez, 37; the attempted murder of William Vargas and one count of shooting from a motor vehicle. The panel also found true gun and gang allegations.

"It was pretty emotional this morning," said Deputy District Attorney Rusty Moore of the Hardcore Gang Division. "This is one of those cases you never forget."

The attacks stemmed from "an internal dispute" involving one gang, Los Angeles police Capt. Bill Murphy said at the time of the shootings. "This isn't a case of one rival gang shooting another one."

The prosecution argued that the shootings were carried out for the benefit of the Mexican Mafia, though Upshaw himself was not a member.

"He was not a member of the Mexican Mafia, I cannot stress that enough," Moore said of Upshaw. But prosecutors theorized that he was building a relationship with the Mexican Mafia that led to the killings, Moore said.

Following the verdict and a lunch break, Upshaw told Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Monica Bachner that he wanted to represent himself and move for a new trial.

Bachner cautioned Upshaw about the "dangers and disadvantages of representing yourself." But Upshaw insisted.

Outside the courtroom and no longer retained as Upshaw's attorney, Anthony Willoughby agreed with the judge.

"I don't think it's a wise idea."

Willoughby had also counseled Upshaw against taking the stand at trial, but was unable to convince his client.

"You're looking at two (no-parole life) sentences as well as 40 to life," the judge said today in urging Upshaw to retain a lawyer.

Upshaw said he planned to request copies of the trial transcript, a move that raised concerns for the prosecutor.

"I'm concerned with the transcript floating around the county jail," said Moore, suggesting that the documents could be used to trigger possible retaliation against those who aided police or testified in the case.

It was hard to get witnesses, even those who lost loved ones, to talk to the authorities about the 2009 shootings, Moore said.

Upshaw, who is not eligible for bail, is due back in court on Dec. 9 to pick up documents related to the trial. Sentencing is tentatively set for Jan. 24.