Death Penalty Upheld In 1996 Murder

An Oxnard Killer on death row since 1999 appealed to the state supreme court and lost.Today the court upheld the death sentence for Kenneth McKinzie.McKinzie strangled his 73 year old neighbor Ruth Avril of Oxnard and left her body in a ditch near Point Mugu back in 1996.Prosecutors say he used her belongings as Christmas gifts.He gave Avril’s camera to one of his children.Investigators found film left in the camera that included Avril’s snapshot.The killer also used the victim’s debit card to get cash and buy drugs.The initial jury deadlocked on the death penalty, but a new jury seated for a penalty phase trial recommended death.At his sentencing in 1999, McKinzie apologized, but the judge said it was too late for that.Share your comments about this story with us on the KEY News Facebook page. Connect with KEY News on Twitter