Gardena man convicted in motel killing in 2009

A Gardena man was convicted Jan. 28 for killing another man at a motel nearly seven years ago, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. 

A jury found Cameron Alex Cole, a 28-year-old white man, guilty of one count of first-degree murder for killing Joseph Shorty, 41. 

Jurors also found true the special allegation that Cole used a screwdriver as a deadly weapon. Cole also admitted prior convictions of second-degree robbery in 2005 and possession of methamphetamine in 2011. 

On April 20, 2009, a maid at the Patio Inn Motel discovered Shorty’s body hogtied with several different kinds of cords and cables, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Erika Jerez. 

Jerez said on the night before the attack, Cole was at the motel, where he was attempting to prostitute his girlfriend. Later that evening, Shorty made a pass at the girlfriend and Cole found out about it, Jerez said.

Cole confronted Shorty in his motel room and the two men began to argue. During the attack, Cole stabbed Shorty with a screwdriver and strangled him with an undershirt, Jerez said.

Gardena police investigated the killing until their leads ran dry. In September 2013, police received new information, including additional witness statements and surveillance video, that connected Cole to the killing, Jerez said.

In April 2014, Cole was living in Nevada when officers from the California Highway Patrol  stopped him as he crossed back into California. He was subsequently charged in October 2014 in Shorty's killing.

Cole will return to court April 22. He could face a maximum sentence of 58 years to life in state prison. 

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @jeromercampbell and @latimeshomicide on Twitter.