LOS ANGELES — A jury recommended the death penalty for a Palmdale man convicted of fatally beating his girlfriend’s 8-year-old son four years ago.
The panel deliberated for about three days before deciding that Isauro Aguirre, 37, should be sentenced to death. Aguirre will return to court on March 8 for sentencing.
Aguirre was found guilty of first-degree murder and the special circumstance allegation of intentional murder by torture on Nov. 15.
According to evidence presented at the trial, the defendant severely abused Gabriel Fernandez for months leading to his death on May 22, 2013. Gabriel suffered numerous injuries that included a fractured skull, 12 broken ribs and burns at the hands of Aguirre. Prosecutors said the defendant hated the boy because he believed Gabriel was gay.
The boy’s mother, Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, 34, also is accused of participating in the torture and killing of her son. She faces one count of murder with the special circumstance allegation of intentional murder by torture.
