2 Women Get Life For Killing North Hollywood Store Clerk

VAN NUYS, CA — Two women convicted of the shooting death of a liquor store clerk during an attempted robbery in North Hollywood nearly three years ago were sentenced Thursday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Rosa Manuela Barrientos, now 26, and Maria Michelle Inzunza, now 28, both of Los Angeles, were found guilty last Aug. 31 of one count each of first- degree murder and attempted robbery for the Sept. 24, 2016, killing of Mohammed Kalam at the Liquor Mart at Sherman Way and Bellaire Avenue.

Jurors also found true the special circumstance allegation of murder during the commission of an attempted robbery, along with an allegation that Barrientos killed the victim by personally and intentionally discharging a handgun.

The 61-year-old man was shot in the head, according to court testimony.

Customers and neighboring business operators said Kalam, a native of Bangladesh, had worked the late shift at the liquor store for many years.

Barrientos and Inzunza were arrested by Los Angeles police three days after the shooting.

Prosecutors opted not to seek the death penalty against the pair.

City News Service