Gunman Gets Life for Slaying

A 31-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison without parole Tuesday for fatally shooting a Valencia man he followed from Hollywood Park Casino and robbed at a Santa Clarita gas station.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Meredith C. Taylor also ordered Phaynes Noble Reeda Jr. of West Los Angeles to serve 25 years to life in prison for using a firearm and seven additional years for robbery.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Paula Gonzales said videotapes taken from casino security cameras show Reeda and Anthony Duke Graham, 22, of Los Angeles, following their 26-year-old victim, Brandon Hunche, and his girlfriend around the gaming floor, then to their car.

Authorities say the men followed the couple from the Inglewood casino to a Texaco station in the 24400 block of Lyons Avenue on Sept. 30, 2001. When Hunche got out of the car to pump gas, Reeda put a gun to his neck and demanded money, Gonzales said.

Hunche offered him $20, unaware that the men knew he had just won $600 to $700 at the casino, she said. When Hunche did not provide more money, Reeda shot him, authorities said.

Hunche’s girlfriend handed over her purse and was not harmed.

She later identified Reeda from the casino videotape as the shooter, Gonzales said. Police also found one of his fingerprints on Hunche’s car.

Inglewood police arrested Reeda a few days later at the casino, and Graham, who drove the getaway car, later turned himself in to authorities.

Separate San Fernando juries last month convicted Reeda and Graham of murder and robbery.

Graham is set to be sentenced Monday. He also faces life in prison without parole.