Man pleads no contest to murdering and raping women found dumped near L.A. freeways
11/01/2022 11:41 am PDT
LOS ANGELES (TCD) -- A 38-year-old man recently pleaded no contest to sexually assaulting and killing two young women whose bodies were dumped near Los Angeles freeways in 2011.
In a news release, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that Geovanni Borjas was convicted of killing 17-year-old Michelle Lozana, who disappeared on April 24, 2011.
A day later, on April 25, 2011, Lozana’s body was found near Interstate 5 in Boyle Heights wrapped in plastic bags inside a plastic container that broke open when it was thrown over a masonry barrier, KNBC-TV reports.
Another one of Borjas’ victims, Bree'Anna Guzman, 22, disappeared in December 2011, Gascón said. According to KNBC, her partially clothed body was found a month later dumped near the Glendale Freeway. Borjas was convicted of Guzman’s murder as well.
According to Gascón, DNA evidence linked Borjas to both murders, and it was determined that the victims had been sexually assaulted.
On Oct. 31, Borjas reportedly entered his plea of first-degree murder, forcible rape, and kidnapping. He also admitted special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder during the commission of a rape.
Gascón announced that Borjas will be sentenced on Dec. 12 and faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. According to KNBC, prosecutors initially sought the death penalty.
In a statement, Gascón said, "Both families have endured a tremendous and incalculable loss. The pain for the victims’ families will never go away, but I want to make sure they continue to receive the services they need as they move forward."
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