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.
Occer 12x25 Compact Binoculars for Adults and Kids, Large Eyepiece Waterproof Binocular with Low Light Vision,High Powered Easy Focus Binoculars for Bird Watching,Outdoor Hunting,Travel,Sightseeing
$27.53 (as of May 8, 2025 06:29 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.)
Cricut Maker 4 - Smart Cutting Machine (Seashell) | Digital Content Bundle - Includes Images in Design Space App
$349.00 (as of May 7, 2025 17:25 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.)
ZZU Wireless Earbuds, 2025 Ear Buds with Big Bass Stereo Sound, Lightweight Bluetooth Earbuds with 48 Hours Playtime, in-Ear…
$19.98 (as of May 7, 2025 17:25 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
$5.98 (as of May 8, 2025 06:29 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.)
Portable Washing Machine - Compact 2.3 Cu.ft Portable Washer, Full-Automatic Top Loader for Space Saving, Ideal for…
$209.99 (as of May 7, 2025 17:25 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.)
Stanley Quencher H2.0 Tumbler with Handle and Straw 30 oz | Flowstate 3-Position Lid | Cup Holder Compatible for Travel | Insulated Stainless Steel Cup | BPA-Free | Cherry Blossom
$35.00 (as of May 8, 2025 06:29 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.)
Apple iPad 11-inch: A16 chip, 11-inch Model, Liquid Retina Display, 128GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP Front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day…
$299.00 (as of May 7, 2025 17:25 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.)
Apple iPad 11-inch: A16 chip, 11-inch Model, Liquid Retina Display, 128GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP Front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day…
$299.00 (as of May 7, 2025 17:25 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.)
Rain-X 820147 WeatherBeater, 26" and 16" Windshield Wiper Blades - All-Season OEM Quality, Conventional, Vehicle Specific Fit, Pack of 2
$25.99 (as of May 8, 2025 06:29 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 Fire TV Stick 4K Max streaming device (newest model) supports Wi-Fi 6E, free & live TV without cable or satellite
$39.99 (as of May 8, 2025 06:29 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.
Occer 12x25 Compact Binoculars for Adults and Kids, Large Eyepiece Waterproof Binocular with Low Light Vision,High Powered Easy Focus Binoculars for Bird Watching,Outdoor Hunting,Travel,Sightseeing
$27.53 (as of May 8, 2025 06:29 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.)
Nespresso Capsules Vertuo, Variety Pack, Medium and Dark Roast Coffee, 30 Count Coffee Pods, Brews 7.8 oz.
$39.00 (as of May 8, 2025 06:29 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.)
Macro Microscope Digital Fixed Focus 2.0 inch IPS Color Screen, 200w Pixel, 500x Magnification, Portable Handheld Magnifying Glass, Built-in 8LED Lights Compatible with Windows, Mac OS
$19.99 (as of May 8, 2025 06:29 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.)
Apple iPad 11-inch: A16 chip, 11-inch Model, Liquid Retina Display, 128GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP Front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day…
$299.00 (as of May 7, 2025 17:25 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.)
RIDEHILL 3 Pack Floral Foam Blocks, 5.5" x 3.1" x 1.7" Flower Foam for Flower Arrangements Supplies, Wet and Dry Flower Foam Blocks…
$6.99 (as of May 7, 2025 17:25 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.)
Portable Washing Machine - Compact 2.3 Cu.ft Portable Washer, Full-Automatic Top Loader for Space Saving, Ideal for…
$209.99 (as of May 7, 2025 17:25 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.)
300x25 Binoculars for Adults and Kids, High Powered Mini Pocket Binoculars with Phone Adapter, Waterproof Compact Telescope for Bird Watching, Hunting, Concert, Theater, Opera, Traveling, Sightseeing
$14.98 (as of May 8, 2025 06:29 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.)
Apple iPad 11-inch: A16 chip, 11-inch Model, Liquid Retina Display, 128GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP Front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day…
$299.00 (as of May 7, 2025 17:25 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
$10.49 (as of May 8, 2025 06:29 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.)
Ring Battery Doorbell, Head-to-Toe Video, Live View with Two-Way Talk, and Motion Detection & Alerts (2024 release), Satin Nickel
$99.99 (as of May 8, 2025 06:29 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.)