Mother and boyfriend found guilty of first-degree murder in torture-death of 10-year-old Anthony Avalos.
The murder count includes the special circumstance allegation of murder involving the infliction of torture. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office dropped a bid for the death penalty against the two after the election of District Attorney George Gascón, who issued aLeiva and Barron now face a maximum of life in prison without the possibility of parole if they are convicted as charged. Details about a sentencing date were not immediately available.
The prosecutor said there was a"very long list of torture that Anthony suffered at the hands of both defendants," including being hit with belts and cords. "I would submit to the court that Ms. Barron she didn't have the power to prevent this. She didn't have the power to say no," Sperber told the judge.
One of Leiva's attorneys, Dan Chambers, said in his closing argument that"this case is one of extreme, unjustified, out-of-bounds behavior," but added that it doesn't rise to the level of intent to kill.
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