RIVERSIDE – (INT) – A Riverside jury has handed down a death penalty verdict in five gang-related murders and one attempted murder. All occurred in the city of Banning between 2015 and 2020.

William Arnold Armendariz III, 28, earlier pleaded guilty.

The penalty phase of his trial capped several weeks of evidence and concluded October 7th.

The homicides involved several members of the East Side Banning Sapos criminal street gang.

Story Date: October 14, 2025