USA - California. Judge Tomson T. Ong sentenced Kevin Darnell Pearson, 36, Black, to death

Los Angeles County Superior Court judge Tomson T. Ong sentenced Kevin Darnell Pearson, 36, Black, to death, following the April 15, 2013 (see) jury’s recommendation. The California Supreme Court overturned his 1st sentence last year (see Jan. 9, 2012), ruling that a judge improperly excused a potential juror over her death penalty views. Pearson and 2 other men were convicted of kidnapping, robbing, torturing, raping and beating 43-year-old Penny Keptra on Dec. 29, 1998 in December 1998. Jamelle Armstrong and Warren Hardy were also convicted and sentenced to death.