Inmate Lightsey, sentenced to death, attends fresh hearing

Christopher Charles Lightsey, a convicted murderer who notoriously disrupted his 1995 court proceedings and subsequent 2015 competency trial, is yet again making headlines. Lightsey, now 70 and exhibiting the same unruly behavior, appeared in court via Zoom from San Quentin State Prison with a petition for resentencing under a 2020 law alteration, which pertains to enhancements for prior prison terms. During the proceedings, Lightsey talked over both the judge and attorneys, held up paperwork, and expressed discontent with his assigned attorney.

Thankfully, managing Lightsey’s outbursts proved to be a simpler task this time around in comparison to previous proceedings. Trial judge John W. Lua, after issuing a warning, stated he had had enough of Lightsey’s disruptions and ordered the court staff to mute his audio feed for the remainder of the proceedings. This effectively stifled any further attempts by Lightsey to interrupt the court session.

Nevertheless, even if Lightsey’s petition for resentencing is granted, it will not alter his death sentence. The resentencing would only be applicable to the enhancement; Lightsey’s existing convictions on charges of first-degree murder, robbery, and burglary are not up for review and will therefore remain intact. As such, any changes will not significantly impact his situation.

For administrative reasons, the resentencing hearing is unlikely to take place for several months. During this period, Lightsey will remain in confinement as he has done for the past several decades. His criminal history includes the brutal killing of William Compton in 1993, during which he stabbed his victim 42 times and afterwards stole his gun collection, a jar of coins, and other personal effects.

Furthermore, in 2015, Lightsey was relocated back to Kern for a competency trial after the California Supreme Court deemed that a legislative error had occurred. They found that a judge had infringed upon state law by permitting Lightsey to represent himself during a competency hearing, and also failed to appoint an attorney for his murder trial. Subsequently, Lightsey represented himself for a half-year period before two attorneys were finally assigned to his case. After hearing corroborative testimonies and arguments from attorneys, the jury reached a verdict that Lightsey had been competent at the time of his original murder trial. In addition to his murder conviction, Lightsey has also been found guilty of sex offenses and was considered a person of interest in the 1990 abduction and murder of 4-year-old Jessica Martinez.