THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 6, 1994 TAG: 9410060518
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: METRO BRIEFS
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
A jury acquitted Guadelmiro Lopez, 19, of murder Wednesday, but convicted him of use of a firearm in the commission of a murder.
Lopez had been charged with the New Year's Eve drive-by shooting of 15-year-old Edward James Johnson outside a motel in the 5800 block of Northampton Blvd.
Defense attorneys and prosecutors said there were credibility problems with prosecution witnesses, who gave different versions of what happened that night. Both said they were puzzled by the apparent inconsistency in the verdict. Lopez was sentenced to three years in prison on the firearm charge.
``It's very unusual. I don't know how to interpret it,'' said defense attorney Barton Daniel. ``I think the jury felt there was reasonable doubt as to his guilt in the murder charge, but maybe they felt he was somewhat connected.''
Lopez's co-defendant, Dominic Madine, 20, of the 5700 block of West Hastings Arch, goes on trial next week.
KEYWORDS: JURY VERDICT TRIAL SHOOTING ACQUITTAL MURDER by CNB