A California man has been convicted of the murder of one woman, and the kidnapping and sexual assault of another victim the following year while he was teaching at a middle school in suburban Los Angeles.
Charles Wright, 59, was nailed in a renewed cold case investigation of the unsolved strangulation of 21-year-old Pertina Epps in 2005, and the assault of the other victim,18 years old, who was not identified by officials.
Epps' body was found in an empty parking stall near apartments in Gardena, California, 10 miles from the school where he taught in Inglewood.
Wright, a long-time teacher, was still working at the middle school for Inglewood United School District when he was arrested in 2022 after he was linked to the crimes through DNA and fingerprints, according to police officials.
Wright faces 50 years to life in prison when he returns to court for sentencing in September.
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón welcomed the jury's verdict reached last week. "Thankfully, justice delayed was not justice denied," he said in a statement.
"I am pleased that this day has finally come for the victims of this horrendous crime," he added. "This conviction sends a clear message that we will not tolerate violence in our community."
Referring to Wright's position at the time of the crimes as a teacher, Gascón noted: "It is particularly egregious that these crimes were committed by someone who was in a position of trust and authority."
