February 26, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Joe Scott, Director of Communications
Sandi Gibbons, Public Information Officer
Jane Robison, News Secretary
(213) 974-3525

LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles Superior Court jury deliberated less than 15 minutes today before convicting an East Los Angeles man of murdering his girlfriend nearly two years ago.

Deputy District Attorney Mary Murray of the Family Violence Division said the jury also convicted 37-year-old Eric Simmons of attempted murder and kidnapping for carjacking. The jury also found true all allegations of gun use, great bodily injury and domestic violence. Judge George G. Lomeli, who presided over the trial, scheduled sentencing for March 19.

Simmons, who has been jailed without bail since his arrest on May 14, 2006, faces multiple life sentences.

Isabel Sanchez, 36, was shot in the face with a shotgun and died on May 12, 2006, at the defendant’s East Los Angeles area home in the 600 block of Harding Avenue near Montebello. Another woman in the home tried to flee and was shot, but survived.

Simmons carjacked a vehicle from a young Marine in training to go to Iraq, authorities said. The defendant fled and was arrested two days later at a Temple City motel. The carjacked vehicle was found in Alhambra.

The young man who was carjacked was not injured.

sg

Please read our Privacy Policy.

© 1994-2008 Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. All Rights Reserved.