Gruesome Crime Spree: Man Killed Child, Wife Then Raped Another in Hemet Attacks, Jury Finds

MURRIETA, CA — A felon who killed his wife and 5-year-old daughter, as well as raped and slashed a former girlfriend during back-to-back attacks in Hemet, was convicted Wednesday of murder and other charges.

A Murrieta jury deliberated one day before finding 36-year-old Johnny Lopez guilty of the November 2013 slayings of 36-year-old Joanna Angel Barrientos Lopez and his daughter, Mia.

Along with two counts of first-degree murder, Lopez was convicted of one count each of attempted murder, forcible rape, burglary and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Jurors also found true a special circumstance allegation of taking multiple lives in the same crime.

The same panel that heard evidence against the defendant over the last month will decide whether to recommend the death penalty for him. Riverside County Superior Court Judge John Monterosso scheduled the penalty phase of Lopez's trial to start Monday.

Lopez was arrested on the night of Nov. 9, 2013, shortly after the attacks at two locations in an unincorporated area east of Hemet.

According to court documents, Lopez confessed to sheriff's detectives that he had carried out the killings to get rid of his "baggage" -- an apparent reference to the victims.

Investigators allege that Lopez fatally shot his daughter, whom he'd sired in a prior relationship, then turned the gun on his wife, who walked into the room after hearing the gunfire.

Both victims were shot twice in the head with a 9mm handgun, according to investigators. They were found in the living room of Lopez's single-story house at 26174 Girard St.

After the shootings, the defendant drove to a former girlfriend's home at 41060 Sunset Lane, less than a mile away, and allegedly forced his way inside via a window.

Carrying an ax and knife that he'd allegedly stolen from a nearby property, he subdued the 30-year-old victim, whose name was not released, and raped her. He then attempted to slit her throat.

When Lopez walked out of the house with blood on his hands, a neighbor called 911, and a sheriff's deputy arrived moments later.

The deputy approached Lopez, who immediately turned and ran. The lawman deployed pepper spray to stop Lopez, who put up a fight, culminating in the deputy striking him with his baton, at which point Lopez surrendered.

The former girlfriend underwent surgery and ultimately recovered.

Lopez has prior felony convictions for illegal possession of controlled substances and recklessly discharging a firearm. He's being held without bail at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta.

– By City News Service / Image: Riverside County Sheriff's Department