Man's Conviction Upheld for Echo Park Gang-Related Shooting Spree

LOS ANGELES - A state appeals court panel Thursday upheld a man's conviction for a series of 2009 gang-related shootings in which two men were killed and another was wounded.

The three-justice panel from California's 2nd District Court of Appeal rejected the defense's contention that Andre Upshaw received ineffective assistance from his trial attorney.

Upshaw was convicted in November 2013 of two counts of first-degree murder for the March 1, 2009, killings of Eric Zamarripa, 38, in Echo Park, and Carlos Gonzalez, 37, in Glassell Park, along with one count each of attempted murder and shooting from an occupied motor vehicle.

The attempted murder charge involved a third man who was struck by gunfire during a separate shooting in Echo Park.

The shootings happened within about a half-hour, with the two slain victims gunned down within 15 to 20 minutes of each other.

Upshaw -- described by authorities as a gang associate -- was sentenced in December 2014 to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

• Also see: Man Stabbed To Death Taking Bath At Northridge Apartment: Police

Previous shooting case coverage:

• Man Gets Life For Shooting in Echo Park
• Gang Member Convicted of Murder in Echo Park Shootings

--City News Service/File photo