AIRPORT COURTHOUSE — A Los Angeles Superior Court jury Monday convicted a former fugitive charged with the 13-year-old slaying of a German tourist in Santa Monica.
Jurors deliberated a day and a half before convicting Paul Edmond Carpenter, 34, of the first-degree murder of Horst Fietze, 52. The jury also found true a special circumstance allegation of murder during the course of a robbery, according to a statement released by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Deputy District Attorney Robert Grace of the Major Crimes Division said Carpenter was additionally convicted of three counts of attempted second-degree robbery with a principal armed allegation found to be true.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Katherine Mader indicated that Carpenter will be sentenced on Nov. 30 in Department D of the Airport Court. He faces a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Carpenter, a U.S. citizen, was arrested in Kingston, Jamaica in February of 2009 where he had been living and working for several years using false identification. At the time of his arrest, Carpenter was working as a driver for a BMW dealership under the name Jermaine Thomas. Jamaican authorities deported Carpenter to the U.S. to stand trial for his crimes.
The victim had been visiting California with a group of friends when Carpenter, his girlfriend and two others attempted to rob the group on Oct. 12, 1998. Fietze was fatally shot during the robbery near the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. Fietze was shot when he had trouble understanding the robbers, who fled empty handed.
Roshana Latiesha Roberts, 31, Lamont Dion Santos, 33, and Tyrina Lakeisha Griffin, 30, were convicted in 2001 in connection with the crimes. Dion Santos, the gunman, was sentenced to 35 years to life in prison. Roberts, who was the getaway driver, was sentenced to 13 years and four months in prison. Griffin received 16 years to life.
In 2007, the FBI announced a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the apprehension of Carpenter.
Carpenter was successfully returned to Los Angeles County to face prosecution as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, the Jamaican Constabulary Force, and the Santa Monica Police Department.
kevinh@www.smdp.com
