Man Sentenced To 128 Years In Prison For 2010 Halloween Murder Of 5-Year-Old Boy
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A 26-year-old man was sentenced to prison on Tuesday for murdering a young boy who wore a Spider-Man costume on Halloween in 2010.
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Leonard Hall Jr. has been sentenced to spend 128 years to life in prison in connection to the deadly shooting.
Two previous trials ended with deadlocked jurors. In May, he was convicted of second degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.
According to prosecutors, Hall and Marcus Denson, 23, entered an alley around 2 p.m. on Oct. 31, 2010, in a rival gang's territory in Compton. Hall opened fire on a 5-year-old boy and his two relatives in the backyard of a home located in the 1000 block of East 84th Street.
The boy, Aaron Shannon Jr., was fatally shot in the head. His grandfather, William Shannon, and uncle were also wounded during the incident.
A preliminary investigation revealed Hall, a gang member who went by the nickname "Baby Skull," had been previously shot by members of a rival gang.
Police said he is believed to have been seeking retaliation against the rival gang when he opened fire on Shannon's family. The family had no gang affiliations.
Four witnesses including Denson, the grandfather, the uncle and a family friend identified Hall as the gunman. Police said the father, Aaron Shannon Sr., could not pick out the shooter from the photos he was shown.
"I think about him all the time, everyday," William Shannon said of his grandson. "We all do."
Allegations were found to be true that he personally and intentionally discharged a handgun and the crime was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang.
However, the allegation that the crime was committed "willfully, deliberately and with premeditation" was rejected by jurors.
The district attorney's office explained Hall was ordered to spend 40 years for committing second degree murder and two 44-year terms for attempted murder. He has the right to appeal for a new trial within 60 days.
Hall's attorney argued for a re-trial, stating, "This case c0nsisted of no physical evidence."
The judge denied the request.
Denson has pleaded guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter and two counts of attempted murder.
He is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 6. If convicted as charged, he faces 25 years in state prison.
