Past case: Los Angeles man sentenced in 2006 double homicide

A 66-year-old man was sentenced Sept. 4, 2013, to state prison for the 2006 killing of his two stepdaughters in Manchester Square.

Robert Lee Phillips was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting deaths of Sabrina Taylor and her sister, Charlette Johnson.

On July 8, a jury found Phillips guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of Taylor and second-degree murder in the slaying of Johnson, as well as the attempted murder of two other individuals.

Two previous trials had ended with hung juries.

Taylor, 30, and Johnson, 33, were shot and killed Sept. 2, 2006 in the 2000 block of West 84th Place in Manchester Square, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Around 8:30 p.m. LAPD officers responded to a complaint about a noisy party, said Officer Sandra Escalante. But when officers arrived at the home, they found a homicide scene.

The party, a 30th birthday celebration for Taylor, was held at the home Phillips shared with the sisters' mother and attended by friends and family.

According to the deputy district attorney, Phillips became irritated with the loud and profane rap tunes that were being played. After drinking heavily, Phillips went to his vehicle, grabbed a handgun, returned to the party and opened fire.

Johnson, shot once in the head, was pronounced dead at the scene by L.A. Fire Department paramedics.

Taylor was transported to a hospital were she was pronounced dead at 9:25 p.m., according to coroner's records.

Phillips, who had been shot by an unknown guest at the party, was transported to a hospital, treated for his injuries and released to police custody.

-- Maloy Moore

This is an update to an older Homicide Report entry. The Times is committed to reporting and updating past filings.