Marvin Ray Markle Jr. was found guilty of the first-degree murder of 14-year-old DeAnna Lynn Johnson, whose body was discovered in 1982. After two days of jury deliberation in Solano County Superior Court, jurors confirmed Markle used a rock to murder Johnson, also indicating he strangled her post a party they both attended. The judge commended the jury for their service, while the lead prosecutor emphasized the perseverance of law enforcement in securing justice decades later. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 16, revealing the trial's emotional weight on the community and the victims' families.
After two full days of deliberations, the 12 jurors found Markle guilty of first-degree murder and also confirmed he used a deadly weapon, a rock, to kill Johnson.
Judge Healy thanked the jury for their service, stating that ‘This system wouldn’t work if you did not make an enormous sacrifice.’
Chief Deputy District Attorney Paul Sequeira described the verdict as ‘a testament to the Vacaville Police Department. Never to give up.’
The conviction was a culmination of an investigation that lasted decades, highlighting the commitment and hard work of the police and legal teams involved.
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