Man Gets Life Sentence for Killing Lynwood Shopkeeper

One of two men convicted of a shopkeeper's killing during an armed robbery at a Lynwood meat market was sentenced today to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Davion Woodspage, 21, was convicted March 26 of first-degree murder for the Nov. 20, 2012, shooting death of Luis Valadez.

The 67-year-old victim was shot once in the chest after struggling with Woodspage over a .22-caliber rifle that Woodspage was pointing at him during the robbery at Las Palomas Meat Market in the 12400 block of Long Beach Boulevard, according to Deputy District Attorney Danette Gomez.

Jurors found true a special circumstance allegation that the murder was committed during a robbery, along with an allegation that Woodspage personally used and discharged a firearm causing death, the prosecutor said.

Woodspage also was convicted of second-degree robbery involving a store clerk who was pistol-whipped by co-defendant Donald Simpson, 37, during the robbery.

Simpson was convicted of first-degree murder and second-degree robbery involving that attack. He was additionally convicted of four counts of robbery and one count of residential burglary involving a Dec. 7, 2012, hold-up in a Los Angeles hotel room and two counts of robbery involving a Nov. 18, 2012, hold-up at a market in Torrance, along with one count each of lewd act upon a minor, possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of ammunition.

Simpson is also facing life in prison without the possibility of parole, with his sentencing set for May 1.

--City News Service