By Brian Hews
LOS ANGELES – Christopher Lee Savala, a 33-year-old gang member from East Los Angeles, has been convicted in the first-degree murders of two men nearly four years ago.
Deputy District Attorney Sarika Kim of the Hardcore Gang Division said a Los Angeles Superior Court jury deliberated about an hour and a half before returning the verdicts against Savala.
Benjamin Renteria and Diego Vargas, both 22, were shot to death in March 2008 by Savala, a Bell gang member. The shooting occurred in unincorporated county territory in East Los Angeles. The murders were the subject of several media reports throughout Southern California.
The jury found “true the special circumstances of multiple murders and gang murders, along with gun and gang allegations,” Kim said in a statement.
Savala faces sentencing on Jan. 11 by Judge Ronald S. Coen, who presided over the trial.
“Because the District Attorney’s office opted not to seek the death penalty, the defendant will be sentenced to spend the remainder of his life in state prison,” Kim said.
Authorities said Savala was socializing with four acquaintances in the 1200 block of South Herbert Avenue when the victims, reportedly with a rival Maywood gang, showed up. Words were exchanged, shots were fired and the victims lay mortally wounded.
Savala fled, but was arrested by Sheriff’s deputies a few hours after the shooting. He has remained in custody since then.
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
It sounds like Renteria and Vargas are as culpable in their own death as is the shooter Savala. In fact, one could argue Savala was just defending himself if Renteria and Vargas stopped and approached (assaulted?) him. They bit off more than they could chew, no real loss anyways, just a bunch of loser gang bangers. The economic loser, as always, is the hard working taxpayer who foots the bill for all of the police work, crime scene investigation, legal process, and lifetime incarceration costs.
MAONO Wave T1 Mini Wireless Lavalier Microphone for iPhone 16 15, Android, Tablet, PC, Clip on Lapel Mic with USB-C Plug, Noise Cancellation, AI Voice Filter for Video Recording Vlog TikTok YouTube
$29.99 (as of April 16, 2025 17:20 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale with LCD Display, Batteries Included, Weighs up to 11 pounds, Black and Stainless Steel
$9.99 (as of April 17, 2025 06:22 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Etekcity Food Kitchen Scale, Digital Grams and Ounces for Weight Loss, Baking, Cooking, Keto and Meal Prep, LCD Display, Medium, 304 Stainless Steel
$13.99 (as of April 17, 2025 06:22 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Mini Monocular Telescope Focusing Optical Binoculars Waterproof and Non-Slip Monoculars for Adults, Black
(as of April 16, 2025 17:20 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
WUBEN G5 Rechargeable EDC Flashlight, 400 Lumens Dual Light Sources Mini Flashlight with RGB Light, Portable Flat Pocket Flashlights, Magnetic Keychain Flashlight for Outdoor Home Emergencies (Black)
(as of April 16, 2025 17:20 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker Countertop with Handle, Ready in 6 Mins, 34lbs Per Day, Removable Top Cover, Auto-Cleaning, Portable Sonic Ice Maker with Basket and Scoop, for Home/Party/RV/Camping (Black)
$179.43 (as of April 17, 2025 06:22 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Drift Car Air Freshener - Wood Air Freshener - Car Odor Eliminator - Teak Scent Starter Kit
$12.95 (as of April 17, 2025 06:22 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
USANOOKS Microfiber Cleaning Cloth Grey - 12 Pcs (12.5"x12.5") - High Performance - 1200 Washes, Ultra Absorbent Microfiber Towel Weave Grime & Liquid for Streak-Free Mirror Shine - Car Washing Cloth
$8.98 (as of April 17, 2025 06:22 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Silonn Ice Maker Countertop, Portable Ice Machine with Carry Handle, Self-Cleaning Ice Makers with Basket and Scoop, 9 Cubes in 6 Mins, 26 lbs per Day, Ideal for Home, Kitchen, Camping, RV
$69.98 (as of April 17, 2025 06:22 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Blink Sync Module XR — System hub for all Blink devices, go up to 400 feet from your home with extended range for Outdoor 4
$69.99 (as of April 16, 2025 17:20 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Hey there! I just wish to offer you a huge thumbs up for the excellent information
you’ve got here on this post. I’ll be coming back to your website for more soon.
GOOACC - GRC-33 240PCS Bumper Retainer Clips Car Plastic Rivets Fasteners Push Retainer Kit Most Popular Sizes Auto Push Pin Rivets Set -Door Trim Panel Fender Clips for GM Ford Toyota Honda Chrysler
$12.14 (as of April 17, 2025 06:22 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Watercolor Workbooks, Watercolor Paper, Beginner-Friendly Flowers Watercolor Workbooks, 12 Colors Watercolor Paint Set with Paint Brush, watercolor Book for Teens、Adults
$16.99 (as of April 16, 2025 17:20 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Blink Outdoor 4 + Sync Module XR — Wire-free smart security camera, two-year battery, go up to 400 feet from your home with extended range — 2 camera system
$124.99 (as of April 16, 2025 17:20 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
3M Super 77 Multi-Surface Spray Adhesive, 14.1 oz., Low VOC, Quick Bond, Fast Drying, Clear Finish for Foil, Foam, Paper, Metal, Plastic, Fabric, and Cardboard (77-NAT)
$13.28 (as of April 16, 2025 17:20 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Fun Boomerang - Easter Basket Stuffers for Kids - Soft & Easy to Use - Easter Gifts for Boys & Girls All Ages - Best Boy Gifts for 6 7 8 9 10 Year Old Boys + 2025 Top Toys for Age 8-12 Boy Gift Ideas
$14.95 (as of April 17, 2025 06:22 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
MAONO Wave T1 Mini Wireless Lavalier Microphone for iPhone 16 15, Android, Tablet, PC, Clip on Lapel Mic with USB-C Plug, Noise Cancellation, AI Voice Filter for Video Recording Vlog TikTok YouTube
$29.99 (as of April 16, 2025 17:20 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Amazon Kindle Scribe (64 GB) - Redesigned display with uniform borders. Now write directly on books and documents. With built-in notebook summarization. Includes Premium Pen - Tungsten
$364.99 (as of April 16, 2025 17:20 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
WEESO Womens T Shirts Short Sleeve Summer Tops Cute V Neck Casual Blouses
$6.21 (as of April 16, 2025 17:20 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker Countertop with Handle, Ready in 6 Mins, 34lbs Per Day, Removable Top Cover, Auto-Cleaning, Portable Sonic Ice Maker with Basket and Scoop, for Home/Party/RV/Camping (Black)
$179.43 (as of April 17, 2025 06:22 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Summer Tops for Women 2025 Trendy Short Sleeve Cotton Linen Shirt Casual Button v Neck Tunic Blouses Outfits
$12.69 (as of April 16, 2025 17:20 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)