Los Angeles, California – A state appellate court panel has upheld the conviction of one of the individuals involved in a tragic Mother’s Day shooting in 2018. The incident, which took place in South Los Angeles, resulted in the deaths of two 15-year-old boys and left two others injured. Cristian Ivan Macias, along with Edwin Federico Loza and Nancy De La Rocha, were found guilty of first-degree murder for their roles in the shootings.
The court rejected Macias’ claim that the evidence presented did not support the jury’s conclusion that he personally used a firearm during the incident. The panel also confirmed the special circumstance of multiple murders, as well as the allegation that Macias intentionally discharged a firearm. In addition to the murder charges, the defendants were convicted of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
During the trial, Deputy District Attorney Brian Chang characterized the killings as the result of a premeditated plan by the defendants, who were allegedly gang members. The prosecutor described how the events unfolded, with one of the defendants arming himself after a confrontation at a taco stand before the shooting took place. The victims, all teenagers, were shot as they tried to flee.
Despite claims from defense attorneys that there was insufficient evidence against their clients, the court found that testimony from surviving victims, physical evidence, and surveillance videos supported the prosecution’s case. The decision to uphold the convictions was based on the jury’s assessment of the evidence presented during the trial.
The sentencing in 2023 saw Macias, Loza, and De La Rocha receive life in prison without the possibility of parole. The court emphasized the senseless nature of the killings and the tragic impact they had on the victims and their families. Appeals on behalf of Loza and De La Rocha are still pending, as the legal process continues to unfold in the aftermath of this heartbreaking event.