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POMONA — An ex-con was convicted Monday of murdering a Pomona police officer and wounding another officer following a short pursuit just over six years ago.
Jurors deliberated just under a day before finding Isaias De Jesus Valencia, now 45, guilty of first-degree murder for the March 9, 2018, killing of Greggory Casillas, in Pomona.
The jury found true special circumstance allegations of murder of a peace officer in the performance of his duties and murder for the purpose of avoiding or preventing a lawful arrest.
The Upland resident was also found guilty of four counts of attempted murder, including one involving wounded Officer Alex Nguyen, three counts of assault with a firearm on a peace officer and one count each of fleeing a pursuing peace officer and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Jurors also found true allegations that Valencia personally and intentionally discharged a handgun.
Valencia is facing life in prison without the possibility of parole, with sentencing set June 10.
A number of Pomona police officers were in the packed courtroom for the verdict, but Valencia did not appear in court.
Superior Court Judge Mike Camacho noted that Valencia will be ordered to be present in the Pomona courtroom for his sentencing.
Pomona police responding to a 911 call of a suspected DUI tried to stop Valencia, with a brief pursuit ensuing that ended when he crashed into a parked car and ran into his apartment, according to Deputy District Attorney David Ayvazian.
Valencia fired six times at officers as police tried to open the door, shooting Casillas in the head and injuring Nguyen, who was shot in the left cheek, the prosecutor said.
Valencia was taken into custody by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department the next day after a 15-hour barricade.
Defense attorney Ronald J. Higgins told City News Service he believes his client is “suffering from a mental disorder,” but noted that the defense didn’t have the opportunity to present that to the jury.
He said he expects Valencia to appeal his conviction.
The prosecutor noted that Valencia was found competent earlier to stand trial, and said that the defendant has “no diagnosed mental health issues.”
(source)