Man guilty of killing 2, leaving bodies to rot at Chatsworth home

A man who was the subject of a search in the summer of 2011 after police discovered the decomposing bodies of his former housemates behind a Chatsworth home was convicted Tuesday on two counts of murder.

Brent Zubek, 46, was found guilty on nine felony charges, including two counts of murder and six counts of assaulting a police officer, Los Angeles County Deputy Dist. Atty. Michael Blake said.

A San Fernando jury deliberated five days before reaching a verdict, prosecutors said.

John David Lee, 40, and Oletta Jean Williams, 28, had been dead for about six weeks before their remains were found Aug. 12, 2011. Both had been shot several times.

A police search for Zubek -- who had been convicted on federal bank robbery charges in 1993 -- began shortly thereafter. At one point in the 10-day search, he eluded undercover officers during a pursuit in the San Fernando Valley.

Hours before he was arrested Aug. 22 in Encino, Zubek opened fire on police. Officers shot him in the hip after he aimed a gun at them, prosecutors said.

Zubek represented himself during his trial. He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole along with nine life terms. Prosecutors declined to seek the death penalty.

For breaking news in California, follow @MattHjourno.