MAN CONVICTED OF KILLING GIRLFRIEND, HER TWIN SISTER AND HER BROTHER-IN-LAW AFTER ARGUMENT OVER HIS KARAOKE MACHINE

PEOPLE

 

Man Convicted of Killing Girlfriend, Her Twin Sister and Her Brother-in-Law After Argument Over His Karaoke Machine

By Charna Flam and Clare Fisher  Published on May 7, 2026 06:28AM EDT

 

A California man could face the death sentence following his recent murder conviction.

 

Eric Otto White, 63, was found guilty of the first-degree murders of his girlfriend, Kavina Madison Brooks, her twin sister, Kavona Kimberly Brooks-Lee, and her brother-in-law, Kenneth Lee. White was found guilty on April 30, according to court records obtained by PEOPLE.

 

A jury will recommend sentencing and the presiding judge, Cheryl Kersey, will either adopt the jury's recommendation or issue her own sentencee, KTLA reports.

 

Court records state that White fatally shot his girlfriend, her daughter, her sister, and her brother-in-law within minutes on Aug. 16, 2020, according to an initial criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE.

 

He fatally shot Brooks and Lee and injured Brooks' daughter, Zanorra Brooks Killebrew, The Press-Enterprise reports. Brooks-Lee died after being hospitalized and placed on life support, according to Law and Crime.

 

White changed his clothes and fled to Las Vegas following the incident and several weeks later, he was located and arrested, the Redlands Police Department said in an August 2020 news release.

 

Brooks Killebrew, who was 14 years old at the time of the attack, testified during White's trial and claimed that the shooting occurred after Brooks touched White's karaoke speaker. She alleged that White disapproved of Brooks' “lenient” parenting style, per The Press-Enterprise.

 

Per the outlet, Brooks Killebrew also said in court that the day before the shooting, her mother told White he could move out and she would replace him with “someone else.”

 

During the trial, Deputy District Attorney Justin Crocker argued that White felt a "loss of control," leading to the shooting.

 

Meanwhile, per court testimony, White's attorney, James Rankin Gass, said his client was diagnosed with mental illnesses and had previously been treated at a psychiatric care facility. Gass argued for second-degree murder convictions due to White's mental health history.

 

Forensic and clinical psychologist John Matthew Fabian found that White had a schizoaffective disorder with a history of bipolar and depressive episodes. He claimed in court, as noted by the outlet, that at the time of the shooting, White was reportedly not taking his medication.

 

“Sad, but finally," Brooks-Lee's daughter, Alicia Sutton, said on learning of the conviction, The Mercury News reports.

 

PEOPLE reached out to the office of District Attorney Jason Anderson and White's attorney, James Gass.

TORCH TRUST SOUNDS OF HOPE SHARED

Dear Friend,

Each week, through our Reflections programme on RNIB Connect Radio, we are reaching people with sight loss who may never walk into a church, but who are open to finding hope in Jesus.

Many of those listening are not part of a local church community. For some, this programme may be the only place they hear the Bible or are reminded that they are not alone. We also now broadcast Reflections on two stations in New Zealand, Radio Maria, and more recently, a hospital radio station, extending that reach even further.

While these stations generously give us free airtime, it costs around £300 each week to produce a programme that is engaging, accessible, and rooted in the hope of the gospel. This covers the work of our staff, contributors, and production team, all working to ensure each broadcast connects meaningfully with those listening.

Reflections offers a gentle and accessible way for people to engage with faith, wherever they are. Through music, real-life stories and scripture, the programme creates a sense of connection and belonging for those who may feel isolated. For many listeners, it becomes a weekly companion and a familiar voice that brings encouragement, comfort and the reassurance that they are not alone. Visit youtu.be/xm-8qTLVOnQ to listen to a recent episode.

This area of our ministry feels more important than ever as we are seeing that people in the UK are more open to exploring faith than in recent years. Every broadcast is an opportunity for someone to hear about Jesus, perhaps for the very first time, or to be encouraged to keep going in the midst of sight loss.

Thank you so much for your ongoing support and prayers. We see God at work through Torch in so many ways, and that is only possible because of the many different ways you partner with us, whether through giving, volunteering, or simply encouraging others.

We would love to invite you to consider supporting this work through a regular monthly gift. Whatever you feel able to give, it will make a real difference.

Here is what your support could help make possible:

• £10 per month helps cover the cost of copying Reflections onto CDs for those who are unable to access it in other ways
• £20 per month helps us expand to new radio stations, reaching more people with the good news of Jesus
• £50 per month helps fund the production time needed to prepare each programme
• £100 per month could cover a staff member to interview guests for a programme

Regular giving is especially valuable as it allows us to plan ahead, sustain the programme, and continue reaching people consistently week by week.

We know that many of you already give to Torch, and we are so grateful. If you are able, we would also really appreciate you sharing this letter with a friend or family member who might like to be part of this ministry.

You can set up a regular gift online at torchtrust.org/donate#regular-giving, 

Thank you for helping us bring hope, encouragement, and God’s word to people living with sight loss, many of whom may never encounter Jesus in any other way.

With gratitude and blessings,

Sarah Dawkins CEO

Gifts can be made by as follows:

Bank transfer: The Torch Trust for the Blind

Cheque: Made out to “The Torch Trust for the Blind”

Over the Phone: Call our Client Services Team on 01858 438260 

OPEN MIC AT GOLD RUSH BREWERY THIS SATURDAY EVENING 6:00-9:00

Hi Everybody:

Rev up your long weekend with Local Live Music and Craft Beer at the Gold Rush Brewing this, and every Saturday night in Madoc 6:00-9:00. Hosted by Torbic Kagmire, this Open Mic is attracting more exciting new talent each week. Bring your friends and family for nachos, pretzels and drinks and bring your instrument too! Come to play or just to enjoy. If we get the weather being predicted - the patio will be open too!

Torbic has all the sound equipment - mics, amps and sound board. You just need to bring your songs and your instruments. There is even some back up if you want it. 

So see you Saturday! 

Also coming up for local music in the next 2 weeks are:

May 16 Torbic Kagmire at the Up Front Cafe Belleville 1:00-3:00 pm.

May 23 Nephton Ridge Runners 2:00-5:00 pm. Madoc Legion

May 23 The Open Mic at Gold Rush Brewing hosted by Torbic Kagmire 6:00-9:00

May 30 Outdoor Show Eldorado 10:00-4:00 Elvis Impersonators & Classic Cars

May 30 The Open Mic at Gold Rush Brewing hosted by Torbic Kagmire 6:00-9:00

May 31 Frank Patrick & Peter Boyd 2:00 at Noah's Ark Queensborough (pm Noah)

Elizabeth 

MEDIA-RELATED STUFF: OLD COUNTRY MUSIC SHOWS

Came across a couple airchecks of "Suppertime Frolic" from WJJD Chicago, both from 1950, via this channel.

Here's a 1949 clip of "The Hoffman Hayride."

Here's a playlist for the "Buck Owens Ranch Show."

Here are nine episodes of "The Red Folley Show."

FOOD NOTES: CANDY, BOOZE AND STARCH

Holy moley! Gummy worms aren't victims of shrinkflation, are they!

A Poet's Vacation is a truly good wine.

For the first time ever, tonight when I made pasta none of it stuck to the pot. 

MEDIA-RELATED STUFF: ELEANOR COLLINS

Can't find any clips of CBC Radio's "Serenade in Rhythm."

This article contains links to clips of "Bamboula: A Day in the West Indies" and the first episode of "Eleanor" from June 12, 1955. 

Also can't find any clips of the CBC show "Quintet" or the CTV show "Network."

Same goes for her 1964 eponymous television program.

NATURE NOTES: A SHIFT FROM TALK ABOUT THE END TIMES

It may be a cold spring, but it's still spring.

Have heard the loon a few times recently.

Heard the barred owl last night.