The California Supreme Court affirmed judgments of conviction and penalty. The court held that the record at trial did not show that severance of multiple murder charges was warranted.
Lester Eaton was killed while two men robbed the small neighborhood store he owned. African-American teenagers Elijah Skyles and Gary Price died after being shot numerous times at a gas station. Hispanic gang members John Gonzales and Michael Soliz were charged in both crimes. Each was charged with three counts of murder. The prosecution alleged the special circumstances of robbery-murder and multiple murder.
