From Andy Furillo:
A Sacramento jury today convicted an Oak Park gang member for murder in the southside shooting death of one of his friends four years ago.
Denishio Demmetrius Collins, 27, faces a sentence of at least 25 years to life in prison in the June 27, 2005, slaying of David A. Perkins, 22. Judge Kevin J. McCormick scheduled his sentencing for March 20.
Perkins had led a group of eight Oak Park Blood gang members on a retaliatory shooting raid on suspected Crips gang members they believed were living on Della Circle, authorities said. One of the 30 bullets fired by the Oak Park gang members struck and killed Perkins.
Authorities said the Oak Park gang members were attempting to avenge the slayings of two members of their gang, including Perkins' brother.
Witnesses said they saw Collins hide from sheriff's deputies a few blocks from Della Circle a few minutes after 911 calls lit up the sheriff's dispatch center.
Although Collins eluded authorities, detectives recovered an assault weapon a witness said he threw on a roof near his hiding spot.
Forensic experts found his DNA on the magazine of the gun, testimony revealed. Detectives also found a tee shirt in a trash can that contained his DNA.
Some of the 15 or so members of Collins' family who were in the courtroom erupted into anger after the verdict was announced. Nobody was arrested, but sheriff's deputies escorted the jury out of the courthouse.
Deputy District Attorney Anthony Ortiz welcomed the verdict and said the jury "did a good job."
Defense lawyers William R. White said, "We're not happy, but certainly we accept their judgment."
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