USA - California. A jury recommended capital punishment for Johnny Lopez

A Riverside County jury unanimously recommended capital punishment for Johnny Lopez, convicted in the Nov. 9, 2013 slayings of his wife, Joanna Angel Barrientos Lopez (36) and his daughter, Mia (5), as well as in the rape and slashing of his ex-girlfriend. Lopez, 36, Hispanic, was found guilty Oct. 19 of two counts of first-degree murder, along with one count each of attempted murder, forcible rape. After the shootings, the defendant drove to his ex-girlfriend's home, and forced his way inside via a window. Carrying an axe and knife, he subdued the 30-year-old victim, whose identity was not released, and sexually assaulted her, according to the prosecution. "According to his confession, he used the knife to slit her throat," Deputy District Attorney Burke Strunsky told City News Service in 2014. The ex-girlfriend underwent surgery and ultimately recovered. Riverside County Superior Court Judge John Monterosso scheduled formal sentencing for Jan. 13.