LONG BEACH : Sentencing Postponed in Slaying of Student
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The sentencing of a Long Beach teen-ager for the execution-style slaying of a classmate was postponed Monday amid accusations that a member of the jury prejudged the case.
The defense said that Michael McDonald, 18, deserves a new trial because a jury member improperly discussed the trial with another juror before deliberations and also indicated her belief in McDonald’s guilt. In addition, the defense said the prosecution presented insufficient evidence that McDonald killed 16-year-old Alexander Giraldo. The jury convicted McDonald of second-degree murder but acquitted two other youths.
Judge Victor Barrera gave the prosecution until June 28 to respond to the motion for a new trial.
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