COMPTON, Calif. — A gang member convicted in the 2001 drive-by shooting that killed a young Compton father and his 2-year-old daughter was sentenced on October 13, 2026, to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced.
Jahon Terez Smith, 50, was sentenced in case TA161231, according to the announcement, which was released on October 14, 2026.
Superior Court Judge Kelvin D. Filer imposed the sentence, according to court reporting.
District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said the sentence came because investigators and prosecutors refused to give up on a double murder that had gone unsolved for decades, and he noted that the family had waited 25 years to hear the gunman would never be free to terrorize another neighborhood.
An August Verdict, a Special Circumstance, and a Life Term
In August 2026, a jury found Smith guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder, according to the announcement.
The panel also found true a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders.
It was the second jury to hear the case. The first panel deadlocked 11-1 in October 2025, with the majority favoring guilt, according to court reporting.
Smith had been arrested on October 30, 2023, by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in connection with the crimes, according to court reporting.
A Drive-By, a Father's Last Run, and One Bullet
On August 8, 2001, Smith drove through the 13100 block of South Willowbrook Avenue in Compton, intending to kill rival gang members, according to the announcement. Both Smith and his front-seat passenger fired guns from the car.
Get help from someone local. Text HELP to (805) 719-7630 and we'll set up a time to talk that works for you.
Stephen Murphy, 25, had his 2-year-old daughter, Kali, in his arms as they fled the gunfire, prosecutors said.
Both father and daughter were killed by a single bullet fired by the passenger, according to the announcement.
That shooter has never been identified or located, prosecutors said.
Smith also tried to kill three other people the same evening, according to the announcement. Two of them were shot and survived.
Gang Violence, DNA Evidence, and a Sheriff's Investigation
Prosecutors said the shootings grew out of gang violence.
DNA evidence linked Smith to the crimes, according to the announcement.
Hochman said Murphy did what any father would do when he tried to shield his daughter from the gunshots.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Paul Thompson of the Major Crimes Division and Deputy District Attorney Esther Kim of the Sex Crimes Division, and it was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Sources
Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, news release, “Gang Member Sentenced to Life in Prison Without Possibility of Parole for 2001 Slaying of Father, 2-Year-old Daughter” (October 14, 2026): da.lacounty.gov/media/news/gang-member-sentenced-life-prison-without-possibility-parole-2001-slaying-father-2-year; MyNewsLA, court reporting on the sentencing (October 13, 2026)