By James QueallyLos Angeles TimesLOS ANGELES — For the second time in four decades, an alleged armed robber has been convicted in the 1983 killing of Los Angeles Police Officer Paul Verna. Kenneth Gay, 65, was convicted Friday of murder and a weapons offense in connection with the decades-old slaying. Both men were convicted of killing Verna at their initial trial in 1985 and were later sentenced to death. Cummings, 66, took the stand on Gay's behalf during his most recent trial but never flat-out confessed to killing Verna in court. Defense attorney Monnica Thelen, however, said in her closing argument that Cummings had admitted on multiple occasions in recorded jailhouse conversations to killing Verna.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 30, 2023 02:36 UTC