Javier Bolden Convicted of Murder of Chinese USC Grad Students

Javier Bolden, October 16, 2012, during opening statements

Photo: NBC pool video camera

Today, a jury in a Los Angeles downtown courtroom convicted Javier Bolden of two counts of first degree murder in the death of Ying Wu and Ming Qu, two Chinese USC Graduate Students. Wu and Qu were gunned down in Qu's BMW during a robbery attempt in the early morning hours of April 11, 2012.  The jury deliberated less than a day and a half.

Bolden was also convicted of one count of attempted murder of Deionce Davance and one count of assault on Zanae Flowers on February 12, 2014.

Deputy District Attorney Daniel Akemon prosecuted the case.

After his arrest, Bolden was placed in a cell with an undercover informant who secretly video taped and recorded their conversations. Bolden could be heard on the tape admitting to the details of the attempted robbery of the BMW and the murders. 

This NBC report states, "Defense attorney Andrew Goldman said his client lied to the informant to appear tough."

Bolden will be sentenced on November 17, 2014 in Department 102 in front of Judge Marcus. Bolden is facing life without parole.

Bryan Barnes, Bolden's accomplice in the grad students murders, pled guilty, admitted to being the shooter and was sentenced on February 5, 2014. Barnes sentence was life without the possibility of parole.