Driver guilty of murder in Adenhart case

SANTA ANA, Calif. - A jury convicted a construction worker of murder yesterday for a drunken-driving crash that killed promising Los Angeles Angels rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart and two of his friends.

It was the second DUI conviction for Andrew Gallo, 23, who held white rosary beads and occasionally looked up at jurors as they returned their verdicts.

Gallo was convicted on three counts of second-degree murder and single counts of drunken driving, hit-and-run driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol and causing great bodily injury.

He faces 50 years to life in state prison at his scheduled sentencing on Dec. 10.

Adenhart, 22, died just hours after pitching six scoreless innings in his 2009 season debut. Henry Pearson and Courtney Stewart, 20, also died in the April 9 collision in Fullerton. Passenger Jon Wilhite was severely injured.

Jurors, who began deliberations Thursday, said they had intense discussions and were well aware that Gallo had not only ruined the lives of the victims' families but also his own.

"It was emotional," juror Beth Smith said after leaving the courtroom. "I think a lot of us lost sleep over this." *