A man accused of killing four people, including three unhoused men, in Los Angeles and San Dimas, California, has been formally charged with murder. Jerrid Powell, 33, is facing four counts of murder, one count of residential robbery, and one count of being a felon with a firearm. The charges also include special circumstances of committing multiple murders and murder in the course of a robbery, as well as suspected personal use of a firearm. Powell appeared before a judge, where he waived his right to a speedy trial. His formal arraignment and plea have been scheduled for January 8.
The series of killings occurred between November 26 and November 29, with Powell allegedly shooting three unhoused men who were sleeping on the street or in an alleyway. The victims, aged 37, 62, and 52, have not been publicly identified. Powell is also accused of following Nicholas Simbolon into his garage, robbing him, and fatally shooting him. Simbolon, 42, was a father of two and worked as a project manager in the I.T. department of the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office.
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Powell was arrested on November 29 following a traffic stop in Beverly Hills. Law enforcement used an automatic license plate reader system to track the suspect’s whereabouts and surveillance footage from Simbolon’s murder. The use of this technology has raised concerns among civil rights groups regarding privacy issues.
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón commended the swift actions of law enforcement, stating that they undoubtedly saved lives. The investigation is still ongoing, and authorities are searching for a motive. If convicted, Powell could face a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.
This article was written using simplified British English and different sentences to convey the news about the formal charges brought against Jerrid Powell for the series of killings in Los Angeles and San Dimas.
