Man Who Went on South Los Angeles Killing Spree Sentenced to Life in Prison

LOS ANGELES – A 34-year-old man was sentenced to 85 years to life in prison for murdering two women, a baby, and attempting to kill a 16-year-old girl.

In three separate South Los Angeles incidents, Robert Lawrence Ransom Jr. shot and killed Margarite Evans, 19, in March 2014. Only days later, Gisella Yauli, 28, and her 1-year-old son were also found in a South Los Angeles home following a fire. Yauli was found tied up with tape on her face. It was determined that she died as a result of smoke inhalation. Her son who was found with her was rushed to the hospital, where he also died as a result of smoke inhalation. It was determined that Ransom was responsible for the fire that led to the death of Yauli and her son.

Still, authorities did not know who was responsible for the senseless murders and two weeks later, Ransom forced a teen girl into a van. While in the van he assaulted the girl and doused her with gasoline. As Ransom was about to set her on fire, the girl escaped. Ransom was arrested a week following that attack.

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Ransom pleaded guilty last month to two counts of first-degree murder and one count each of attempted murder and second-degree robbery. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Lisa Lench handed down the sentence to Ranson on Tuesday, April 3, 2018.