In 1989, the Ventura County District Attorney's Office became the first office in California to successfully introduce D.N.A. "genetic fingerprinting" evidence in a criminal case.


Release Date: May 2, 2008

Contact:    Cheryl M. Temple, Senior Deputy District Attorney

                 (805) 654-2340

 

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that John Lewis (DOB 01/21/75) was convicted by a jury for the gang-related, May 12, 2006, first-degree murder of Oxnard resident Fred Williams. The jury also found true the special allegation that Lewis was a principal in an offense that was committed with a firearm. The jury also found true the special circumstances that the murder was intentionally committed to promote, further, and assist the Black Mafia; and that the murder was committed for financial gain.

 

This conviction marks the conclusion of a nearly two-year investigation in which the Ventura County Sheriff's Department used extensive wiretap evidence to solve the crime. The conviction of Lewis also follows that of Lewis Brown (DOB 01/01/83), who was convicted last week by a jury for the Black Mafia Gang-related, March 8, 2005, first-degree murder of Oxnard resident Bruce Barksdale. Both convictions have delivered a severe blow to the Black Mafia criminal street gang.

 

Sentencing for John Lewis is set for June 2, 2008, in courtroom 25 in front of the Honorable James Cloninger. Lewis faces a sentence of life in prison without parole.