Defendant convicted in Covina Hills 9-1-1 murder

WEST COVINA - A 21-year-old man was convicted Thursday of first-degree murder in the shooting death of a woman who was slain while reporting a break-in at her Covina Hills home to a 911 operator.
Jurors who heard the case against Victor Manuel Maurtua III also found true a special circumstance allegation of murder during the commission of a burglary, according to Shiara Davila-Morales of the District Attorney's Office.
Maurtua -- who is facing life in prison without the possibility of parole when sentenced Jan. 18 -- is the third person to be convicted of first-degree murder for the March 19, 2008, killing of Michelle Hsu.
The 46-year-old victim was shot three times and died at the scene.
Co-defendant Christopher Stratis, 19, was found guilty on Monday and is also facing a life prison term. He is set to be sentenced Dec. 1.
A third defendant, Christopher Kevin Santana, now 22, was convicted June 14 and sentenced July 15 to life behind bars with no chance of parole.
A jury is still considering the case against a fourth defendant, 19-year-old Christine Alegre.
A fifth defendant, Megali Fernandez, 19, pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter.