A jury yesterday convicted 27-year-old Frank Christopher Gonzalez in the 2006 murder of Sheriff’s Deputy Maria Cecilia Rosa as she was about to leave for work at a Los Angeles jail.  Gonzalez was convicted of murder during an attempted robbery, attempted robbery, and of using a handgun.

Judge Joan Comparet-Cassani will now decide Gonzalez’s punishment, the process of which begins this Friday.  Judge Comparet-Cassani has already presided over the conviction of 21-year-old Justin Ashley Flint in the same murder, and sentenced him to 29 years to life in prison.  The prosecution seeks the death penalty for Gonzalez.

The two assailants rode up to Rosa on bicycles as she opened the trunk of her car, shortly before 6am on March 28, 2006.  Rosa attempted to draw her weapon but was shot twice, and died despite paramedics’ efforts.