LOS ANGELES – A man nicknamed the "60 Freeway Slayer" could face the death penalty after being convicted Friday in the 1993 and 1994 strangulations of six women.
A jury deliberated for about three days before finding Ivan Hill, 45, guilty of first-degree murder. He also was found guilty of special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and having a prior murder conviction.
The jury was scheduled to begin the penalty phase Nov. 29.
The case drew its name from the 60 Freeway, also known as the Pomona Freeway. Bodies were found along the route running from Los Angeles County eastward into San Bernardino County.
During the trial, the defense acknowledged Hill killed the women, but disputed the prosecution's claim the slayings were premeditated.
Defense attorney Mitchell Bruckner tried to get Hill convicted of lesser charges of second-degree murder. He told jurors that Hill's drug use contributed to his compulsive acts.
The jury saw photos of the victims and heard a recording of Hill's calls to police, in which he told a 911 dispatcher he "did it again."
"Y'all better catch me before I kill again," he said in another call.
Hill was charged with the killings in November 2003 after being linked by DNA. At the time, he was in prison for robbery, attempted robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, and was set to be released in three months. He was convicted in August 1989 for a murder in Los Angeles County.
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