A former Gardena resident convicted of an execution-style murder in Rancho Palos Verdes more than 13 years ago lost his latest appeal Tuesday.
A three-justice panel from California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal rejected Daniel Isidro Nunez’s claim that he was eligible for re-sentencing under a recent change in state law.
Nunez is serving a life prison term without the possibility of parole for the Jan. 31, 2007, slaying of Jesus Manuel Payan, 38, of Carson, who was shot twice in the back of the head.
Nunez wore a size 11 shoe, and casts of shoe prints found near the victim’s body matched a pair of size 11 Nike Air Jordan athletic shoes that were found inside the trunk of a Toyota Camry owned by Nunez’s mother and frequently driven by Nunez, according to the latest ruling.
Payan was killed after being driven about 16 miles in the cargo area of an SUV, and his wrists and ankles were bound with packing tape, according to a 2011 appellate court ruling that upheld Nunez’s conviction.
Payan had told numerous people that he was going to Gardena to help Nunez to move, and he was seen at the defendant’s home before he was killed, according to the 2011 ruling.
Authorities did not determine a motive for the killing, which occurred at a dirt turnout near the 5000 block of Palos Verdes Drive South.
Nunez was convicted of first-degree murder and kidnapping, with jurors finding true the special circumstance allegation of murder during the commission of a kidnapping.
Jurors deadlocked in December 2009 on a murder charge against Nunez’s cousin, Rudy Tafoya, who subsequently pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in March 2010 and was sentenced to 21 years in prison.