MR. KHOJAYAN SECURES ACQUITTAL ON A MURDER CHARGE AND SAVES CLIENT FROM LIFE IN PRISON SENTENCE

Los Angeles, California – Mr. Khojayan’s client was a longtime leader of a Los Angeles street gang who had recently turned his life around to promote peace in the neighborhoods. He was charged in Los Angeles federal court with one count of racketeering (RICO) conspiracy alleging at least two murders, drug dealing, extortion and witness intimidation and one count of 18 U.S.C. 924 alleging the use of a firearm during a violent crime. The U.S. Attorney initially sought the death penalty. However, the defense convinced the U.S. Attorney and his supervisors in Washington D.C. not to seek the death penalty based on his many good deeds since the alleged crimes.
The defense thoroughly investigated the case, crime scenes, and witness backgrounds. Mr. Khojayan passionately and aggressively defended his client during trial and was able to win an acquittal for one of the murders. Mr. Khojayan’s thorough and detailed cross-examinations revealed the witnesses’ lack of credibility as to that murder. At sentencing, based on the client’s personal history supported by witnesses found by the defense team, the court sentenced the client to prison for the remaining crimes, rejecting the government’s request for a life sentence.