Two presumed gang members were convicted on Wednesday by a Contra Costa jury for murdering an Antioch man in an argument over missing laundry.
Jeramy Mark Griffin, 26, of Oakley and Boise faces 40 years to life in prison, and Alexander Duggan, 26, of Concord faces up to 25 years to life for the murder of Juan (Johnny) Hernandez on Nov. 14, 2012
The Contra Costa Times reported that Griffin was convicted of second-degree murder (with a firearm enhancement), being a felon in possession of a firearm (with a gang enhancement), assault with a firearm and street terrorism. Duggan, a three strike defendant, was also convicted of second-degree murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm (with a gang enhancement), street terrorism and reckless evading for leading police on a high-speed chase.
Prosecutor Jill Henderson said that although police don’t believe that Hernandez had anything to do with stealing their laundry, Griffin and Duggan, found their missing laundry in an another apartment at Antioch’s Delta Pines complex. The two murderers terrorized the occupants there, pistol-whipped and shot Hernandez to demonstrate that “you don’t steal from a gang member.”
Griffin denied being in a gang during the trial and argued that he was peacefully trying to recover his clothing when Hernandez attacked Duggan. The Times reported that Griffin then said that he beat Hernandez on the head with his gun in self-defense, which caused the gun to accidentally discharge.