October 14, 2026: Gang Member Sentenced to Life in Prison Without Possibility of Parole for 2001 Slaying of Father, 2-Year-old Daughter

COMPTON, Calif. - A 50-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in connection with the fatal shooting of a man and his 2-year-old daughter outside their Compton home 25 years ago.

"This is what justice looks like when law enforcement -- working with our prosecutors -- are unrelenting in solving a decades-old, double murder," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. "Stephen Murphy did what any father would do when he tried to shield his daughter from the gunshots. For 25 years, the victims' family has grieved the tremendous loss of their loved ones and waited for this moment to hear that the gunman will never terrorize another neighborhood again."

Jahon Terez Smith (dob 12/9/75) was found guilty by a jury in August of two counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder. The panel also found a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders to be true. Smith was sentenced yesterday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

On Aug. 8, 2001, Smith drove through the 13100 block of South Willowbrook Avenue, intending to kill rival gang members, as both he and his front passenger fired guns from the car. Stephen Murphy, 25, had his 2-year-old daughter, Kali, in his arms as they fled from the gunfire. Both were killed by a single bullet fired by the unidentified passenger.

The shooter has never been identified or located.

Smith also tried to kill three other people the same evening, two of whom he shot but survived.

Prosecutors said the shootings were a result of gang violence. DNA evidence linked Smith to the crimes.

Case TA161231 was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Paul Thompson of the Major Crimes Division and Deputy District Attorney Esther Kim of the Sex Crimes Division. The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.