Penalty phase underway in shooter’s trial
MORENO VALLEY — The death penalty remains a possibility for convicted murderer Gregory Ford Lymuel, found guilty earlier this week for killing a 10-year-old boy in December 2006.
Convicted Child Murderer - Gregory Ford Lymuel
Lymuel, of Los Angeles, was found guilty on one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder. During the trial, witnesses said that Lymuel, now 22, bragged about shooting the 10-year-old Christopher Fields.
When Fields died in the shooting, two days before Christmas, witnesses said that Lymuel expressed regret over his death. Six months later, investigators pieced together a case; his trial started last month.
On Wednesday, jurors began hearing testimony in the penalty phase of the case. The victim’s family members will most likely testify next week. The result of this phase will indicate to the judge whether or not to impose a possible death sentence.
Lymuel was also convicted of shooting at Roberta Fields, the boy’s mother, along with his brother, Floyd, who suffered injuries.
The Fields family, who lived in the El Cajon section of San Diego, was en route to Hemet for the holidays at the time of the attack.
Prosecutors said Lymuel was in the back seat of a Honda, which was stopped at a red light at the intersection of Kitching Street and Iris Avenue with two other cars just after midnight on Dec. 23, 2006.
The two cars were in an apparent street race. When the car that contained Christopher Fields attempted to turn left, shots were fired.
Five shots were fired by Lymuel, according to witness accounts, striking Fields in the head as he played a video game. Six months later, Lymuel was arrested after someone in his car had been charged with attempted murder in another case, and identified Lymuel as Fields’ shooter.
Investigators discovered forensic evidence in the back seat of the car Lymuel was riding in at the time of the shooting. Lymuel had pleaded not guilty, saying he was not involved in the shooting.
The initial trial took place over a six-week span.
