Victor Sosa on Wednesday was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Daisy De La O last February. He is now facing a possible sentence of 26 years to life.
Sosa stared straight ahead as the verdict was read.
Susana Salas, the girl's mother, wept in court. Outside the Compton courthouse, she said she finally has justice for her daughter.
"I've waited one year and almost three months to hear those words," she said. "But to hear them in court was something else, you know? Honestly, I see my daughter smiling in heaven. Finally, justice was served."
TikTok tips help catch Compton murder suspect in Mexico resort town
TikTok tips help catch Compton murder suspect in Mexico resort town
Sosa was arrested in Mexico on July 2, 2021 after an army of "TikTok detectives" helped track him down in Rosarito, where he was working at Papas & Beer bar and nightclub.
LASD homicide detectives tracked every lead, while Daisy's friends blasted photos of Victor Sosa onto TikTok and Instagram. One of those tips cracked the case and led to Sosa's arrest.
Salas says that Daisy was in her second year at East LA College and dreamed of owning her own business one day.
Salas says Daisy had broken up with Sosa about a month before her murder, at least in part due to some alleged physical abuse. Salas says Sosa texted Daisy that February night and convinced her to come outside.
"I'll be back, OK, I won't take long, I promise," Salas remembers Daisy saying. "Those were her last words my baby girl told me. She left, she never came back."
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Daisy's family says surveillance video provided to Eyewitness News shows Sosa dragging Daisy's body into an alley after he stabbed her to death. Her body was found the next morning rolled up in a rug.
Sosa was brought back from Mexico to stand trial. Among those who testified against Sosa included his own mother.
Salas says she does not plan to say anything to Sosa when she gives her victim impact statement.
"It's incredible what the actions of one person can do to a family," Salas said.
Sosa's sentencing is scheduled for June 7.