Jury recommends death for The Boy Next Door Killer

A Los Angeles jury has recommended the death sentence for a man dubbed “The Boy Next Door Killer.”
In August, jurors found the defendant guilty of two counts of first-degree murder with the special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and lying in wait. He also was convicted of one count of willful, deliberate and premeditated attempted murder and attempted escape.
One victim of 43-year-old Michael Gargiulo was killed on a night in 2001 when she had plans with actor Ashton Kutcher, who testified at the trial.
The jury reached its decision Friday after finding Gargiulo guilty of two murders and an attempted murder.
Prosecutors called him “The Boy Next Door Killer” because he lived near all the victims.
He was also convicted of the 2008 attempted murder of Michelle Murphy in her Santa Monica apartment, who testified during the trial’s penalty phase that she lived in fear for years after the attack.
Gargiulo also has been charged in the 1993 slaying of Tricia Pacaccio, 18, in the Chicago area. Prosecutors were able to present details about the murder as supporting evidence during the trial.
A judge will sentence Gargiulo in February.