Hollywood Producer Convicted of Murder in Deaths of Model, Friend
David Brian Pearce Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder
A Hollywood producer charged with first-degree murder was convicted Tuesday in the drug overdose deaths of a Los Angeles model and her friend.
Jury Deliberates for 7 1/2 Hours
The jury spent about 7 1/2 hours in deliberations, which began Friday in the trial of David Brian Pearce, who also was convicted of seven counts of sexual assault for attacks on seven other women.
Pearce Charged with Murder, Sexual Assault
Pearce, 42, stood trial in the deaths 24-year-old model and aspiring actress Christy Giles and her 26-year-old friend Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola. The two women were taken to separate Los Angeles-area hospitals about two hours apart on Nov. 13, 2021.
Mothers of the Victims React to Verdict
“The actual man who killed my daughter, I hope he’s going away forever,” said mother Dusty Giles. “Life without the chance of parole. That he has to live out every day knowing it was my… daughter.”
Closing Arguments Made
In her closing argument last Thursday, Deputy District Attorney Catherine Mariano told jurors that Pearce knew the dangers of fentanyl, but still gave the women fentanyl and GHB because he wanted to sexually assault them.
Pearce’s Defense Attorney Disagrees
Pearce’s attorney, Jeff Voll, said that his client did not give the women drugs and urged juror to acquit Pearce.
Grand Jury Indictment
In addition to the murder charge, a grand jury indictment returned against Pearce in December 2022 charged him with murder in the deaths of the two women, along with three counts of forcible rape, two counts of sexual penetration by use of force and one count each of rape of an unconscious person and sodomy by use of force — with all of the sexual assault charges involving alleged crimes against seven women between 2007 and 2020.
Court Finds Co-Defendant Not Guilty
The jury was unable to reach verdicts on charges against co-defendant Brandt Walter Osborn, who was facing two counts of being an accessory after the fact. The judge declared a mistrial on those charges after jurors said they were hopelessly deadlocked.
Court Proceedings
Osborn, 45, allegedly accompanied Pearce in a Toyota Prius with no license plates attached to the hospitals where Giles and Cabrales-Arzola were left.
Prosecution Witnesses Testify
Ansbach testified that Pearce told him, “Dead girls don’t talk.”
Medical Examiner’s Report
Giles died of a mixture of cocaine, fentanyl, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid and ketamine, while Cabrales-Arzola died of multiple organ failure with cocaine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy) and other undetermined drugs found in her system.
Prosecutor’s Closing Argument
“This is no accident, no mistake,” she said. “This is no mistake.”
Conclusion
Pearce’s conviction marks a significant victory for the families of the victims, who have been seeking justice for over two years.
FAQs
Q: Who was David Brian Pearce convicted of murdering?
A: Pearce was convicted of murdering Christy Giles and Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola.
Q: What were the charges against co-defendant Brandt Walter Osborn?
A: Osborn was facing two counts of being an accessory after the fact, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict and a mistrial was declared.
Q: What was the verdict on the sexual assault charges against Pearce?
A: Pearce was convicted of seven counts of sexual assault.
Q: How long did the jury deliberate?
A: The jury deliberated for about 7 1/2 hours.
Q: What was the motive behind the murders, according to the prosecutor?
A: According to the prosecutor, Pearce gave the women drugs because he wanted to sexually assault them.
Q: How did the families of the victims react to the verdict?
A: The families of the victims were relieved and grateful for the conviction, with one mother stating that she hoped Pearce would spend the rest of his life in prison.
