MURRIETA — One of three conspirators in a marijuana theft ring involved in killing an Anza man because he was believed to be a snitch was bound for state prison Monday to serve a term of life without the possibility of parole.

George Frank Holley Jr., 43, of Oklahoma City was convicted in June with Nico Manuel Zahir, 31, of Anza for the slaying of 42-year-old Brian Messina in 2020.

Separate juries heard their cases at the Southwest Justice Center over a nearly monthlong period.

Holley’s jury found him guilty of first-degree murder, firearm assault and a special circumstance allegation of killing in the course of a kidnapping. Zahir’s jury convicted him of the murder count, along with firearm assault, false imprisonment and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.

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