Signal Hills man sentenced to life in prision for two murders

Jeffrey Keith Means, 49, was sentenced Aug. 22 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for two murders committed 11 years apart, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

Means was found guilty July 2 of first-degree murder in the killing of Ronald Henry and second-degree murder in the slaying of Hal Dean Shaw.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Julian Recana said Shaw, 48, was found bludgeoned to death June 12, 1996, in his Whittier home.

Henry, 67, was found Dec. 19, 2007, with multiple stab wounds to his neck in an apartment in the 900 block of Dawson Avenue in Long Beach, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

During the investigation of Henry’s killing, investigators connected Means to Shaw’s killing and charged him with his murder, Recana said.

Means knew both victims and was the last person to be seen with them before their deaths. DNA evidence also linked Means to the crimes, the prosecutor said.

-- Maloy Moore