LANCASTER – A Lancaster man was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2006 killing of his live-in girlfriend and her 18-year-old daughter, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.
Christopher Anthony Brown, 44, was found guilty last month of two counts of murder with the special allegation that a handgun was used, and the special circumstance of multiple murders.
The murders happened on Nov. 21, 2006. Crystal Dawkins had flown to Lancaster from South Carolina to spend Thanksgiving with her mother, Christine Bacon, whom she had not met since birth, according to testimony during the trial.
During the visit, Brown and Bacon got into an argument that lasted days. Believing that Bacon intended to end their relationship and keep the house they shared, Brown shot both women multiple times, the prosecutor said.
When Dawkins failed to return home to South Carolina after one week, her father attempted to file a missing person report. When unable to do so, he came out to California and began investigating himself, which ultimately led sheriff deputies to enter the Lancaster home shared by Brown and the mother on Dec. 18, 2006.
The bodies of both victims were found inside, according to witness testimony.
The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Homicide Division; and Judge Lisa Chung of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Antelope Valley Branch, presided over the 21-day trial.
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Dax says
Should’ve gotten the death penalty. But I guess life without parole is acceptable
Eric says
Cheaper to incarcerate an offender for life than it is to put up the dog and pony show of putting them to death. Crazy huh? I would’ve always thought it was the other way around, but nope.
Plus, they can now get indentured servitude out of him until he dies. PIC wins again.
Double Standard says
Why did it take 8 years to come to trial?
Wowza says
I agree, taking this long is downright inexcusable.
Eric says
When you are busy having trials for low level marijuana offenders, etc. etc. etc., it can be hard to find time to deal with real crimes.
Michael says
Defense attorneys drag it out in hopes that evidence is lost witness if any forget testimony E.T.C that is the dog and pony show. if there is undeniable proof when found guilty there should be a room off to the side where they take the offender and end them!!!. No more overcrowding.