Janitor John Luebbers killed Calif. principal Sam LaCara, gets convicted of murder
(CBS/AP) PLACERVILLE, Calif. - A Placerville school janitor who gunned down school principal Sam LaCara in 2011 has been convicted of first-degree murder with gun enhancements.
CBS Sacramento reports that Monday afternoon the El Dorado County jury reached a verdict in the slaying of the popular Schnell School principal after about two-and-a-half hours of deliberations.
The prosecution wrapped their case last Wednesday after a ballistics and pathology expert took the stand to testify that bullets found in John Luebbers' .357 magnum matched bullets found in the 50-year-old victim.
Luebbers, the former head custodian at the school, shot and killed LaCara in February of last year, a few days after the two went golfing together. Witnesses say Luebbers was upset he didn't get enough input into a hiring decision of a night janitor. He entered LaCara's office and shot him three times.
"Justice was served. Placerville lived up to its name of swift justice, old Hangtown," one of LaCara's friends said after the verdict.
Sentencing is set for June 15, when Luebbers will face a term of 25 years to life in prison.