Leo Jerome Johnson, 32, was convicted Oct. 6 of two counts of second- degree murder. Jurors also found true a gun allegation.
Johnson was on parole for armed robbery when he shot 33-year-old Nicky Packard and 22-year-old Michael Sewell Jr. on June 23, 2013.
An earlier gang allegation included in the charges was dismissed following a preliminary hearing, though prosecutors said Johnson was a gang member.
Prosecutors said the victims were at a party thrown by a motorcycle club and then went to an after-party at a house on Hanstead Avenue, where they approached Johnson using language from a rival gang. Family members told authorities the men didn’t belong to any gang, but had ties to that world.
Johnson went back to his house, got a gun and confronted the victims as the after-party was ending, shooting Packard three times and Sewell once as he tried to come to Packard’s defense, according to prosecutors.
Packard died at the scene, while Sewell ran and left a trail of blood leading to a nearby cemetery where he died.
Previous related stories:
Parolee charged in Lancaster house party double murder
$10K reward offered in Lancaster double murder
Public help sought in double murder investigation
Men shot and killed after party in Lancaster
–
AV supporter says
The family said they weren’t gang members if so why would they approached him and play the gang banging kids game the family should have taught them how to be men and not act like kids if they came at me with the gang stuff I would have put two in their ass in a minute
Keem says
Do yourself a favor & shut the [removed]
Crystal says
That part !! Free my cousin !!!!
Be equal says
Both of the victims were grown men why would they walk up to another grown man and play gang banging kids games they got what they deserved if they walked up to me playing that gang stuff I would have put two in their ass in a minute Once you turn 18 you’re considered a adult men need to start acting like men and stop playing kids games
DP says
RIP Nicky
Uncle Sam says
Don’t know much about his friend Michael, but Nicky was a hard working man.
How is it “second degree murder”, not first degree murder??
Killer went back to the house to get his gun, and returned to the scene with only one intention – to kill?
I have met this POS before, he totally deserves the electric chair.
ANNON says
What a waste of taxpayer money. just hang him.