Two East Coast men, Travis Reid and Kenneth Peterson, were sentenced to life in prison without parole for the drug-related killings of three men in an upscale Porter Ranch gated community in 2019. They were convicted of first-degree murder and attempted robbery after blaming one victim for the loss of over $370,000 in a drug shipment. Despite professing their innocence, they were found guilty and sentenced by Judge Curtis B. Rappe.
During the trial, Reid’s attorney argued for reasonable doubt, noting that no one saw Reid shoot anybody. Peterson’s attorney highlighted the lack of connections between his client and the victims. The families of the victims, including the daughter of one victim who called him her “best friend,” shared their grief and loss in court. The widow of another victim expressed concern for her daughter growing up without her father.
The mother of the third victim spoke of the empty space in her heart and the constant anguish of his loss. The victims’ loved ones questioned the defendants on whether the crime was worth it and urged them to repent for their actions. Reid and Peterson both maintained their innocence, with Peterson expressing his condolences and Reid denying any involvement in the killings.
Both men plan to appeal their convictions. The sentencing marks the end of a tragic case that left three families without their loved ones and raised questions about the influence of drugs and money in the lives of the perpetrators.
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