WOODLAND HILLS : Deliberations to Begin in Murder Case

A Van Nuys Superior Court jury will begin deliberations today to determine if two men plotted an ambush and then killed a Woodland Hills gasoline dealer who had just received $26,000 in cash.

Daryoush Khorrami was gunned down as he sat in his Mercedes-Benz on a quiet North Hollywood street on Sept. 15. One of the defendants, who prosecutors say was broke, had just delivered a briefcase full of money to the victim.

Jerry Killedjian, 25, of Glendale and Arsen Darbianian, 21, of Los Angeles face life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Kathleen M. Cady presented a circumstantial evidence case, which focused on the facts that Darbianian was driving a car similar to the one seen leaving the murder scene and that Killedjian was the last person to be seen with Khorrami.

A ledger found under Khorrami’s right leg was opened to a page marked “Jerry,” according to evidence in the trial.

Killedjian’s attorney, Charles R. English, argued to the jury that there are several suspects who may be responsible for the killing, but this possibility was not fully investigated by police.

“Who did it? We don’t know,” English said. “But there’s certainly insufficient evidence to convict Mr. Darbianian and Mr. Killedjian.”