Three men were convicted of first degree murder and other charges in the death of a pregnant woman celebrating her birthday in the Gaslamp Quarter three years ago.
Lakiesha Mason, 21, was one of three people shot on 5th Avenue and E Street May 24, 2009 after a fight broke out, police said.
When officers arrived, they found three victims with gunshot wounds. Mason was pronounced dead at the hospital at 2:30 a.m. The other two victims survived.
On Monday, Dontaye Craig, Frederick Roberson and Rashad Scott were convicted of first degree murder with several special allegations including gang affiliation, attempted murder and assault with a firearm.
Mason was celebrating her 21st birthday when a fight broke out and spilled outside onto the streets.
The defendants fired shots into a large crowd striking three people including Mason who was pregnant at the time of the shooting.
Mason's mother, Debra Nesby, said she has been waiting a long time for justice.
"Like I've been living a nightmare over and over again," Nesby said. "Acually it's been hell."
As the verdict was read Monday afternoon, Mason's father said he's pleased with the verdict, but it won't bring back his daughter.
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"She knew tons of people," Sam Mason said. "She was just a fun, loving, easy-going person to get along with. And it was a sad loss for all of us, for all of our families, to have that jewel of our lives taken away from us."
"It's not going to bring my daughter back but hopefully this will detour other young men from acting up and taking other innocent lives," he said.
Roberson's mother, who is battling cancer, said her son was wrongly convicted. She told NBC 7 San Diego her son didn't commit murder because he wasn't the one who actually opened fire.
Craig, Roberson and Scott will likely spend the rest of their lives in prison when they are sentenced in November.
