Jose Guerrero Guilty in Madera Murder Trial | ABC30 Fresno

kfsn

By ABC30

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Madera, CA The jury found Guerrero guilty of killing three women more than ten years ago.

This case is now entering the penalty phase where jurors will recommend the death penalty or life in prison for Guerrero. Jurors convicted him on three first degree murder charges and an attempted murder charge. Jurors also found several special circumstances true. But one of the victims and some family don't want the convicted killer to go to death row.

Sobs of joy and relief are coming from Lynett Chambers her daughter ... 22-year-old /*Tamara Hernandez*/ was murdered and raped in 1998.

Lynett Chambers said, "Now, she's at peace now. And her children can have a normal life.

Jurors convicted /*Jose Guerrero*/ of killing Hernandez and two other women ... 42-year-old /*Julia Woodley*/ and 30-year-old /*Sharlene Fowler*/.

Edmund Gil said, "We will be seeking the penalty of death."

Prosecutor Edmund Gil said jurors have another choice: life in prison for Guerrero. He was also convicted of slashing the throat of Evelyn Estrada. Estrada survived and told her story the jury. But she and Hernandez's family believe Guerrero should not face execution.

Evelyn Estrada said, "I rather have him to rot in prison for the first of his life."

"I want him to remember on his last breath of life doing life in prison. I don't want him to do the death penalty, because once they put him to sleep it's over for him," said Chambers.

The defense will try to convince jurors to spare Guerrero's life for crimes ... Eric Greene says ... Should never have been found true.

Eric Greene said, "I felt the sex was consensual. The right result would have been second degree murder as opposed to finding first degree murder which leads us to the next phase of the trial."

The penalty phase begins on Monday. Once again jurors can recommend the death penalty or life in prison. A judge will eventually make the final decision on what punishment Guerrero will face.